Jets' Justin Fields vows to be more aggressive after poor performance in London
Jets quarterback Justin Fields is given back his helmet after it was knocked off in a tackle in the second half against the Denver Broncos in London on Oct. 12, 2025. Credit: AP/Kin Cheung
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Justin Fields did some self-reflection after last Sunday’s brutal performance and came to the realization that he needs to make a big change.
Fields completed just nine passes for 45 yards in the Jets’ 13-11 loss to the Broncos in London. The Jets didn’t score a touchdown and had just 82 yards of total offense.
It was the type of performance that normally leads to a quarterback change. But Aaron Glenn is sticking with Fields, who promises to be a different quarterback this Sunday when the winless Jets play Carolina.
“I looked at myself this past game, and really over the season, and kind of just told myself I could be a little bit more aggressive,” Fields said after practice Wednesday. “So this Sunday, [I’m] probably going to be a little bit more aggressive.”
Fields hasn’t thrown an interception in 123 pass attempts this season, which is a byproduct of being too conservative. He was sacked nine times against Denver. Some of them were because he held on to the ball too long.
One of Fields’ strengths is his mobility and ability to use his legs. He hasn’t scrambled much or gotten out of the pocket for long runs in the last two games. Fields revealed that he’s been dealing with some lower-body pain from a hit he took against the Dolphins in Week 4. He had a brilliant 43-yard touchdown run in that game.
“The past couple weeks my legs haven't been feeling the best,” Fields said. “I got kind of a huge contusion versus Miami. So I was working through that the past couple weeks, but over time, I'm getting better, and my legs are kind of getting back under me.”
The Jets had their worst passing game in franchise history against Denver. They finished with minus-10 net passing yards. Fields said he isn’t looking over his shoulder, worried that Glenn will pull him and put Tyrod Taylor in if the offense continues to struggle.
Glenn continues to show confidence in Fields. He acknowledged that Fields “took a step back” in Sunday’s game, but they didn’t harp on it too much.
“I don't think that's something I needed to express, even though we did talk about it,” Glenn said. “He's very aware. So the thing that I do like about him, man, he flushed that.”
Glenn also said that he believes Fields should take more chances and throw the ball downfield when the opportunity presents itself.
“I think that's for any quarterback, especially when you have man coverage, you give a guy a chance,” Glenn said. “But I do know if something bad happened, you [media] guys are going to be [complaining] about that, about him. The thing is, he’s just got to go out there and play quarterback and do the best that he can.”
That could be more challenging this week with dynamic receiver Garrett Wilson slowed by a knee injury. The Jets’ best offensive player did not practice Wednesday and isn’t expected to play Sunday. Glenn wouldn’t officially rule Wilson out yet though.
“We’ll see how he progresses during the week,” Glenn said, repeating the same thing two more times when asked about Wilson and the results of his MRI.
Minus Wilson, the Jets’ top three receivers are Josh Reynolds, who didn’t practice Wednesday because of a hip issue, Allen Lazard and rookie speedster Arian Smith. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor and running back Breece Hall should be more involved in the passing game.
Surprisingly, Taylor and Hall only had one catch between them against the Broncos. Hall wasn’t targeted at all. That’s how ineffective Fields was. The reality is he hasn’t played well since Week 1 when he threw a touchdown pass and ran for two more against the Steelers.
Fields completed just three passes for 27 yards the following week against Buffalo before leaving in the fourth quarter with a concussion. He hasn’t led a first-half touchdown drive in the last three games. He’s played his best late in lopsided games when the defense softens its coverage.
“I'll just learn from my mistakes from last game, and definitely play better this week, for sure,” Fields said.
Thoughts with Mangold
Glenn opened up his news conference with a message for former Jets center Nick Mangold, who needs a kidney transplant and is looking for a donor with type 0 blood.
“Thoughts and prayers to Nick and his family,” Glenn said. “When you hear about things like that, and to a person like him, he's a true Jet through and through. So, it's hard to hear.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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