What did Justin Fields have to say after NY Jets benching?

It isn’t the first time New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields has been in this situation.

Coming off the field down 10-3 at the half of Sunday’s eventual loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Jets’ offense had gone six straight quarters without a touchdown under Fields’ leadership.

The struggles left head coach Aaron Glenn with no choice. He benched Fields coming out of the halftime locker room in favor of Tyrod Taylor.

“I just felt like it was time, that our team needed a spark,” Glenn said after the game. “I thought we did move the ball fairly well. Obviously, not enough to give ourselves a chance to win.”

Taylor’s impact didn’t do much for the Jets’ struggles. He threw two interceptions and was late on many throws throughout his limited action. At 0-7 and coming off a 13-6 loss, a quarterback controversy has begun in New York.

It leaves Fields wondering how things have fallen off so quickly for him since he arrived with the Jets.

Fields takes ownership

When Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets in the offseason, the belief was that the organization would give him the keys to the offense as a starter. They did not hold a competition during training camp with the belief that Fields was all they needed.

Now, the competition many hoped to see in camp is set to kick off going into Week 8 before a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Before his benching, the Jets’ starting quarterback netted 25 passing yards. It marks his third start of the season with under 30 net passing yards.

After the game and his benching, Fields spoke to the media regarding the move. While he didn’t fully agree with the decision, he clarified that, based on the results, he didn’t get the job done during his time on the field.

“A little bit [upset], but at the same time I can’t be mad at the decision,” Fields said. “I understand why. It’s life, it’s football. I’ve learned to not take anything personally. Coach AG, I think he wanted to see if there was a spark.”

New York is dead last in the NFL in passing yards. Opponents have begun adjusting to the offense’s run-heavy approach. With limited hope for adjustments, the Jets made the change at quarterback.

While Glenn did state that he could go back to Fields at some point during the remainder of the year, the quarterback made it clear that he was going to roll with the punches.

“I’m here to be the best teammate I can be,” Fields said. “I’m here to be the best person I can be. It’s not up to me. Of course, I wish things would have went a little bit different, not only for me, but for this team.”

The results are what they are. Fields taking ownership of the mistakes made on the field highlights how good a person and leader he is for New York. But the NFL is a results business. And the results Fields has put on the field recently haven’t been good enough.

Because of that, a quarterback competition is now underway in Florham Park.