The job of Jets quarterback Justin Fields is on the line heading into Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. His status as the starter is in question following one of the worst passing performances in franchise history.
Despite fiercely defending Fields this week, Coach Aaron Glenn faces mounting pressure. The team is 0-6, and Fields is coming off a game where he took nine sacks as the offense managed negative ten passing yards. Another poor performance against Carolina could force Glenn to turn to backup Tyrod Taylor, though the coach has given no indication he is considering a change.
“I didn’t think he was bad at all,” Glenn said of Fields’ four games prior to last week’s loss to the Broncos. “I actually thought he did some pretty good things. In this fifth game, he took a step back… and we can’t have that. But I don’t think you just try to bench a player after having one true bad game, because I thought the other games he played fairly well.”
A primary concern this week has been the amount of time Fields holds onto the ball. The quarterback acknowledged he needs to be more decisive and take more chances downfield.
“I feel like I’ve been a little bit too conservative,” Fields said. “I’ve always just been big on ball security and not putting the ball in jeopardy, but it comes to a point where you just got to find that healthy balance between trying to maybe fit it in smaller windows and just letting it rip.”
The Jets will face a Panthers team that has won two straight games to improve to 3-3 but is 0-3 on the road this season.
Amid the growing criticism, Glenn insists the team is on the right track and is asking for patience. “Do not let go of the rope,” he said. “We’re trying to build a solid foundation so we can consistently try to win.”
Source link
