A Historic Passing Disaster, But the Coach Stands Firm
In a shocking turn of events, the New York Jets experienced the worst passing performance in their entire history. Despite this, Coach Aaron Glenn remains unwavering in his support for quarterback Justin Fields. But here's where it gets controversial: Glenn scolded a reporter for even suggesting a quarterback change.
"What kind of question is that?" Glenn exclaimed after the Jets' 0-6 record took another hit with a 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos. "There are bad games, but that doesn't mean you bench a player. Come on, you know better than that."
It wasn't just a bad game; it was a record-breaking disaster. The Jets finished with a franchise-low minus-10 net passing yards, an all-time low for any team in nearly three decades. Fields completed only 9 passes for 45 yards, and with 55 yards lost on sacks, the team's passing game was virtually non-existent.
And this is the part most people miss: the blame doesn't solely fall on Fields. Several factors contributed to this debacle, including conservative playcalling and pass protection breakdowns. Coach Glenn acknowledged that it wasn't just Fields who needed to step up their game.
"I understand the questions about Justin's job status, but listen, there are other players who need to improve too. I'm not going to pin this all on him," Glenn said. "In some games, he's played well. I'm not going to bench him just because of one bad game."
The worst moment came at the end of the first half when the Jets, with 32 seconds left on the clock, chose not to run another play despite having a fourth-and-1 situation. This decision left everyone baffled, including star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who suffered an injury and questioned the playcalling.
Wilson's frustration was evident as he exchanged words with Glenn at halftime. "I didn't understand the plan," Wilson said. "Once I figured it out, I was disappointed. We need to embrace a 'nothing to lose' mentality. It should be obvious to everyone watching."
Glenn's explanation for the botched drive was questionable. He wanted to keep the ball and not give it back to the Broncos before halftime, even though the Jets would receive the second-half kickoff. A risky strategy, to say the least.
Fields echoed Glenn's thoughts, saying, "Our goal was to end the half with the ball, not let them have it."
The Jets' performance was a far cry from their usual standard, with their longest pass play only reaching 11 yards. They finished with a mere 82 total net yards, one of the lowest in franchise history.
"It starts with me," Fields said. "I have to get the ball out faster. They have a good defensive line, and once they get to the backfield, you have to move quickly."
Guard John Simpson added, "Not cracking 100 total yards is crazy."
So, what do you think? Is Coach Glenn's loyalty to Fields justified, or should he consider a change? Let's discuss in the comments!
