FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Regardless of latest struggles, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was blindsided by final week’s demotion, saying Wednesday, “I didn’t anticipate it by any means.”
Fields, commenting for the primary time on the benching, vowed to develop into a starter once more within the NFL, however he despatched combined alerts on whether or not he desires to stay with the Jets despite the fact that he is underneath contract for 2026.
The slumping Fields was changed final week by Tyrod Taylor, who will begin once more Sunday towards the Atlanta Falcons (4-7) at MetLife Stadium. Coach Aaron Glenn stated he made the change as a result of he desires extra manufacturing from the passing assault, which ranks thirty second in yards.
Not surprisingly, Fields did not agree with it.
“You’ll be able to name it what you need, however AG thought it was justified, and he makes the choices round right here,” he stated.
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract in March ($30 million assured), considering he’d get a full season to point out he may very well be the group’s long-term starter. However he was despatched to the bench for the second straight season. A 12 months in the past, the Pittsburgh Steelers changed him in favor of Russell Wilson regardless of a 4-2 begin.
“The primary day it occurs, it is powerful,” Fields stated, reflecting on final week. “It most likely took me a day and a half to completely settle for my position. Then final Friday, I felt myself in form of a ‘Rattling’ second to the place it was like, ‘Yeah, it is really actual.’
“You form of simply have to take a look at life from a optimistic perspective. I am blessed to be on this place, and I do know I’ll get one other shot. That is all that issues on the finish of the day. So, after I do, I simply should be ready for that second, be the most effective participant I’ve ever been on the sector.”
Fields, a first-round choose by the Chicago Bears in 2021, is 16-37 as a starter, together with 2-7 with the Jets. He is twenty ninth out of 33 certified passers in Complete QBR however nonetheless sees himself as a starter.
“In fact. Sure, sir,” he stated. “I imply, I simply know who I’m as an individual, as a soccer participant, as a tough employee. I believe I do know I’ve the mindset and the talent to achieve that. I simply really feel like I have to do it on a extra constant foundation, however that is simply what it’s.
“It is the ups and downs of life and I am in a — quote-unquote — valley proper now. But it surely’s not going to do something however make me stronger on the again finish of it.”
Fields is because of make $20 million subsequent season, together with $10 million assured, however his standing is up within the air. The Jets may reset their quarterback depth chart, probably with a excessive draft choose and/or a veteran acquisition.
Requested if he’d be amenable to returning as a backup, Fields evaded the query, saying he is solely frightened in regards to the current. Later, he added: “I am not going to have that mindset by way of, ‘Oh, they benched me. I am not [going] to play right here.’ I believe that is a nasty mindset to have.”