Neither Justin Fields nor Tyrod Taylor is the answer as the Jets’ starting quarterback.
After watching another inept performance by Fields in the Jets’ 27-14 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, it would be too soon to watch him again. The Jets wasted $30 million guaranteed for inept play. Overall, Fields finished the night 15-of-26 for 116 yards. He was the Jets’ leading rusher with 67 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
Not a good night. (photo courtesy FOX 56)
The Jets quarterback was so bad that the Jets’ 14-play, 72-yard drive that ended with his five-yard touchdown run to start the game became an afterthought. After that touchdown, the Jets went three-and-out in the remaining three drives of the first half. The Jets scored a lone touchdown in the third quarter.
We can criticize Glenn for not letting his quarterback run, but that’s beside the point. Until the Jets acquire a prolific passer, they will struggle against elite teams. That means we can discount last Sunday’s win over the Browns.
Even with the Jets leading 7-0, a Patriots’ win was inevitable. Yes, he engineered a comeback against the Bengals, but that was an anomaly.
It’s hard not to criticize Glenn and the Jets’ general manager, Darren Mougey, for signing Fields. Now, knowing that the risk hasn’t paid off, the Jets will take a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that draft pick will start immediately. It would be pointless to have Fields play under center again after this season.
But here’s the thing: drafting a quarterback is easy. Developing one isn’t, and the Jets have a bad track record in that regard. The list includes Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, and Zach Wilson.
Yes, Darnold and Smith rebounded, but that was with other teams. Wilson doing so would make headlines.
The Jets need a quarterback who is equipped to handle the pressure of playing in New York and won’t get bogged down by the losing, and who learns how to win on the road. If the Jets had a quarterback of that ilk, they could have won Thursday night’s game.
It may sound lazy to say the problems start and end with inept quarterback play, but it is fair to say that a great quarterback overcomes many of a team’s deficiencies. That’s what the Jets have been missing since Joe Namath left, and that was a long, long time ago.
IU’s Mendoza (photo courtesy SI)
The good news is about step one–the ’25 Draft. New York will get the pick of the litter when it comes to drafting this year’s quarterback class, and I believe Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the ideal pick. After that, there’s LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU).
However, no matter who is chosen, the Jets need better offensive line play, as well as more productivity from their playmakers. That’s where the Draft comes into play again. In addition to drafting a QB, the team needs to get a top-level wide receiver to complement Garrett Wilson.
For anyone who thinks the Jets’ draft spot could slip if they keep winning, don’t. It doesn’t matter who starts the final seven games of the season. The sooner the season ends, the better.
It’s time to move on, and any more talk about giving Fields more time is a waste of time.
Case closed.
