The New York Jets are staring down a cold, hard fact: three games into the 2025 season, they’re still searching for their first win. Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins is turning into a do-or-die moment for head coach Aaron Glenn and his struggling offense.

The biggest question all week: who’s going to quarterback this team? Justin Fields, the young star signed to a $40 million deal this offseason, has been sidelined with a concussion since Week 2.

But Glenn just dropped a desperate QB decision ahead of the showdown against Miami. Justin Fields will start, per the head coach. But Fields only had one full practice this week and stuck to non-contact drills. 

The guy hasn’t fully cleared the concussion protocol yet, but Glenn is rolling the dice. Tyrod Taylor, the backup, is clearly past his prime and hasn’t proven he can deliver the big win the Jets so badly need. It’s a classic case of going with the lesser of two evils.

Justin Fields took a hit late in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills and has battled his way back. Thursday’s practice was a good sign, listed as a full participant, but an independent neurologist still needed to give the thumbs-up. The Jets’ playoff hopes might hinge on whether Fields can actually play at full speed after such a short recovery.

Fields excelled when healthy, but after a brutal injury, the Jets’ offense looked stalled. Since then, the Jets have been playing catch-up, failing to score until late in games. Taylor, the veteran backup, filled in last week against Tampa Bay.

He threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns, but also gave up two turnovers, including a costly interception returned for a touchdown. That poor decision-making was a stark reminder of the gap between steady veteran play and the dynamic threat Fields provides.

But Glenn made it plain: once cleared, Justin Fields is the QB1. The Jets are 0-3 and fighting for any spark on offense. Glenn knows it’s a gamble, but desperation runs deep in New York’s locker room. They want a win, and Fields is their best shot, even if he’s not 100 per cent. Because at this point, Taylor isn’t helping the Jets snap their losing streak.

Why Tyrod Taylor Isn’t the Answer for the Jets

Taylor, 36, is a seasoned veteran with 15 seasons under his belt, but his NFL resale value has seen better days. His limited time on the field this season gave Jets fans a glimpse of his capabilities: solid accuracy with 26 completions on 36 attempts, 197 yards, and two touchdowns last Sunday.

But those same minutes showed he’s prone to mistakes. He threw a pick-six that swung momentum in a close loss to the Buccaneers. Taylor’s game is all about managing risks, not changing games.

Sure, he’s mobile enough and can make safe throws, but he doesn’t bring the playmaking ability or the speed Fields adds on the ground. Fields averages almost double Taylor’s rush attempts and yards per game. The Jets’ offense under Aaron Glenn remains the same whether Fields or Taylor is under center, but the impact on explosiveness couldn’t be more different.

With an offense that’s been sputtering and desperate for a spark, Taylor’s best role was to hold the fort. The Jets know deep down Taylor isn’t the guy who’ll pull them from the AFC East cellar; he was filling in until Fields was ready.

For the clash against the Dolphins, the Jets need Justin Fields healthy and sharp. Because Fields is the future, the hope, and the only real shot for this Jets team to get back on track.