Justin Fields responded exactly the way Aaron Glenn expected, by staring straight at the adversity he faced last week -- and, really, the last several weeks -- and having one of the best games of his career.
Still, the New York Jets coach isn't committing to Fields as his starting quarterback for when the team returns from its bye-week break. Even after a wild, 39-38 comeback victory, the first of the season, Sunday at Cincinnati.
"I think you know what my answer's going to be on that," Glenn said Monday when asked if Fields would be the starter against Cleveland on Nov. 9. "This is the bye week and we're going to focus on us. And, listen, I have time to make that decision. Again, that's one of the good things of the bye week."
Glenn laughed and added: "But seriously, man, this gives us a chance to really just hone in on the good, bad and ugly and try to get those things worked out because we know we have a ways to go."
A week ago, Glenn deliberated over whether a struggling Fields or veteran Tyrod Taylor would be his starting quarterback. It seemed he would likely go with Taylor, especially after owner Woody Johnson publicly criticized the quarterback play and Fields' inability to consistently make throws. But Taylor was ruled out Saturday with a knee injury, putting Fields back under center.
And he delivered.
Fields, who has yet to throw an interception in seven starts, went 21 of 32 for 244 yards and a touchdown, along with 31 yards on 11 rushes. He also threw a pass and had a run for 2-point conversions.
"I think he played the game exactly like we see him playing for us to win the game," Glenn said. "There are still some things within that game that he knows he has to improve on, and that's going to be every game. We're going to always be critical of ourselves. ...
"But, yeah, he did a really good job for us (Sunday). I thought he managed that game really well."
Fields was emotional after the game, sharing that he was on the floor of his closet at one point during the week, crying. He said it wasn't really about the stress of the week.
"Football is football," said Fields, who has leaned on his faith, "but it was so much more just about the journey and about how we got to this point and just facing adversity and fighting through adversity."
Fields certainly has his flaws as a quarterback. But it would seem a tough sell for Glenn to not give him another chance, especially after helping deliver him his first victory as an NFL head coach.
And Fields certainly has the respect of his teammates.
"Back against the wall and that's what you do, that's somebody that I want to play with," defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said. "And there's a reason there's a (captain's) 'C' on his chest."
Copyright 2025 by The Associated Press
