Aaron Glenn Given Strong Reason to Move On From Justin Fields as Jets QB Struggles With Injury

The mood in Florham Park has shifted. The New York Jets, still seeking their first win, saw their plans unravel against the Buffalo Bills. Week 1 had shown optimism, with the Steelers narrowly edging out a win for themselves. But post Week 2, HC Aaron Glenn is left balancing hope against reality. Justin Fields, acquired for his playmaking upside, exited early in the fourth quarter with a concussion and finished with a career-low QBR. It was a development that immediately prompted Glenn and the front office to seek answers.

But the answer might just lie waiting in their own locker room.

CBS’s Cody Benjamin recently looked at all the 0-2 teams and ranked them on their turnaround potential. The Jets ranked 8th on the list. As Benjamin added, “Despite going blow for blow with the Pittsburgh Steelers in their opener, the Jets crashed to Earth against the rival Buffalo Bills in Week 2, cratering as a run defense in a 30-10 defeat. Worse yet, quarterback Justin Fields is now in concussion protocol, leaving Tyrod Taylor as the tentative starter.” 

That loss was much more than just a lopsided 30-10 scoreboard against the Bills. Fields managed just 27 yards in passing and 49 yards in rushing (no touchdowns). Suddenly, the team’s grand plans felt thin. Aaron Glenn summed it up after a game with a single sentence: “Apparently, I didn’t have the guys ready to play. It’s not okay to lose like that.” But the misfire wasn’t only QB-driven. The defense broke down, especially against the run, surrendering drive after drive and making adjustments seem overdue. The Bills’ offense torched the Jets’ D for 224 rushing yards. Even their defense held the Jets down to just 100. The team struggled through the first three quarters with just 3 points on the board. The only source of optimism came in the fourth quarter.

But that optimism came only after Fields exited. Fields’ Week 2 struggles ended with a painful hit by Bills’ DE Joey Bosa that culminated in his head getting hit on the turf. The second act seemed to work, but it came a little too late. With Fields out, it was up to QB Tyrod Taylor to lead the team. He guided the Jets to their only TD of the game, finally bringing the scoreboard up to reflect double digits on their side. Now, as Fields navigates concussion protocol, the risk of waiting for him to heal and hit form doesn’t come with guarantees. The form Fields showed vs. the Steelers was nowhere to be seen in Week 2. The franchise’s focus has shifted toward steadiness and security. For a 0-2 team, it might be more valuable than highlight plays that never materialize. Qualities, incidentally, that Taylor can offer.

The clarity the Jets’ brass needed was served up by Cody Benjamin in his rankings. There was cause for optimism. As Benjamin further adds, “It’ll be hard for Aaron Glenn’s front seven to perform much worse than they did against Buffalo. And while Taylor is best suited coming off the bench, he might provide a touch more pocket-passing stability than Fields.” Now, while Fields recovers and returns to game shape, the next act begins for the New York Jets. And AG is prepared for what comes next.

Tyrod Taylor era incoming?

Tyrod Taylor, the perennial understudy, is now in the spotlight with Fields sidelined. As Aaron Glenn noted the day after the game, “If Justin can’t play, then Tyrod would be the guy, and we’d build a plan that’s suitable for him.” Glenn also noted it will be difficult for him to push Fields onto the field without shaking off the rust after clearing the five-step concussion protocol. The team’s practiced fluidity is no longer hypothetical. Taylor is getting first-team reps, and the game plan is being tweaked around his strengths.

Taylor, on the other hand, had missed the entirety of the preseason with a knee surgery. But AG isn’t worried about that. As the coach further added, “not concerning at all. … He’s been in this league for a long time. It doesn’t take much for him to understand exactly what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to get done, so I have no concerns about that.” After taking over from Fields in Week 2, Taylor went 7-for-11 with 56 yards and a 5-yard TD pass to TE Jeremy Ruckert. Moving forward, if he can show stability, that’s exactly what Glenn craves right now. Taylor isn’t auditioning as a long-term starter. But his disciplined approach could help move the chains and stem the panic threatening the locker room.

The Jets go up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, September 21. If Aaron Glenn can tighten up the defense, and Taylor can stabilize the offense, the Jets might avoid an early-season spiral. Justin Fields’ future isn’t sealed, but the current situation demands action, not just optimism.