FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields shrugged off criticism from staff proprietor Woody Johnson, saying he is not in search of a dialog to clear the air. And he does not anticipate Johnson to method him.
“I do not assume me speaking to him goes to do something,” Fields mentioned Wednesday after observe. “It is not going to make me play higher. It is not going to present me extra confidence on the sphere, so I do not assume there’s essentially some extent in speaking about that and I doubt he’ll come and discuss to me.”
Fields is struggling mightily for the Jets and may very well be on the verge of shedding his job to Tyrod Taylor. The muddled quarterback scenario took an surprising activate Tuesday, when Johnson, talking to reporters on the NFL’s fall assembly in New York, blamed Fields for the 0-7 begin.
“I am unsure how he feels concerning the scenario in any respect, however, I imply, I haven’t got any plans going as much as press him about what he mentioned,” Fields mentioned. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. That is simply what it’s, however you simply have a selection or not whether or not these opinions have an effect on you or not.”
Fields mentioned he wasn’t conscious of Johnson’s feedback till knowledgeable by reporters, though the matter was addressed by Aaron Glenn earlier within the morning staff assembly, the coach mentioned.
The quarterback is not notably shut with Johnson. Fields mentioned they met for the primary time earlier than a current sport, including that their relationship consists of fast chats earlier than video games.
“It does not hassle me,” he mentioned of the proprietor’s criticism. “After all, everyone is aware of I must play higher and we have to play higher as a staff. And, in fact, irrespective of how the offense does as a unit, I will get the blame. And I perceive that — that is simply what comes with the job. You may’t let something have an effect on your thoughts.
“Irrespective of if it is him, irrespective of if it is relations, even teammates, generally there’s going to be instances the place it’s a must to be the one one who believes in your self.”
Fields, 26, below contract by way of 2026, declined to deal with the potential for a commerce request. It might be tough to commerce his contract, which incorporates $10 million in assured wage in 2026.
“I do not like answering these questions, these — quote, unquote — what-if questions,” he mentioned. “I am not going to try this. That is not going to do something for me. That is not going to do something for this staff. If something, that is going to placed on a topic that the staff’s going to not deal with, and the largest focus proper now’s this sport on Sunday. In order that’s simply going to fire up extra stuff that we do not want.”
Johnson created the firestorm when, unsolicited, he alluded to Fields’ poor play, saying, “It is laborious when you might have a quarterback with a score that he is received. I imply, he has skill, however one thing simply shouldn’t be jiving.”
Johnson additionally mentioned, “If we will simply full a cross, it will look good.”
Glenn mentioned he and Johnson are “on the identical web page” with regard to personnel. On Wednesday, Glenn declined to call his begin for Sunday in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, saying he desires to create a aggressive benefit by maintaining the Bengals at nighttime. All indications level to Taylor changing Fields.