New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn might have made a mistake with his handling of starting quarterback Justin Fields’ injury following Week 2.
On Wednesday, September 17, Coach Glenn ruled out Fields, who is going through the NFL’s concussion protocol. Longtime NFL analyst Andrew Siciliano said that decision was “somewhat surprising” and an NFL team “rarely” rules out their starting quarterback that far in advance of the game.
“I wonder if this is a rookie head coaching mistake by Aaron Glenn,” Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Frank Schwab openly speculated on “Inside Coverage.” “Him ruling out Justin Fields on Wednesday, I would think that their opponent this week, the Buccaneers, is like, ‘Oh, good, we don’t even have to worry about Justin Fields in film review, we can just spend all of our time on Tyrod Taylor.’ Whereas they would have had to split that [preparation] time [if they didn’t know who was starting].”
Yahoo Sports senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein said she thinks this situation is an “even bigger deal for the Jets than with many quarterbacks because a lot of times teams try to have a backup quarterback whose style of play resembles that of their starter. Well, Tyrod Taylor does not have the same mobility and skillset as Justin Fields. While I’m not saying they are going to run a different offense, I would say that they would accentuate completely different parts of the playbook … Now the Buccaneers don’t have to prepare for what we saw in Week 1 when we saw Justin Fields running that very successful run offense.”
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Insiders Explain How the Jets Offense Will Be Different With Taylor at the Helm
“I think the Jets might be a more challenging team against the run when you have Justin Fields out there, but Tyrod Taylor is a better passer; he is a better thrower of the football than Justin Fields. He is limited in other ways: not as good [running] the ball, certainly not as durable, although that is kind of ironic to say because he is filling in because Fields is hurt,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes explained on “Jets Final Drive.”
“Jets fans get ready for the deep shots, like that is coming, that is how this offense is going to change with Tyrod Taylor out there,” Hughes said. “He is going to give his guys an opportunity to stretch the ball down the field. He is going to give Garrett Wilson a chance out there. Arian Smith, you haven’t really seen too many go balls to him; those are coming.”
“It’s going to be a more aggressive approach with Tyrod, they still want to run the ball, but it’s going to be more aggressive with Tyrod Taylor, more stretching the field, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if you see some more expolsive plays and the passing attack look better with Taylor out there as opposed to Fields,” Hughes added.
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Jets Coaching Staff Doesn’t Seem to Agree With Insider’s Assessments
The Yahoo Sports panel’s argument is centered around the Jets potentially holding an advantage with their opponent not knowing which QB would be playing. Coach Glenn, revealing that info, in theory, forgoes said advantage and actually provides the Buccaneers with extra prep time on the actual passer who will be under center.
SNY argued that the offense will look different for several reasons due to the QB change.
The Jets coaching staff sang a different tune this week at the podium.
“I don’t think it changes that much,” Glenn said on the difference between Fields and Taylor being at the controls of the offense.
Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand shared the same message via ESPN’s Rich Cimini, “We really don’t have to change much at all.”
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Taylor Is Beloved by His Jets Teammates
Zack Rosenblatt revealed in a long column for The Athletic that no matter what team Taylor has suited up for, he has garnered the adoration of his teammates.
On “Jets Final Drive,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes revealed that Taylor received “captaincy votes” last year as the Jets’ backup quarterback. This shows how much his teammates love and respect him.
Taylor, 36, will get his first start with the Jets since joining the team in 2024. Before this point, Taylor had only played during relief appearances.