By Jim Williams
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Justin Fields was 6 of 12 for 46 yards in the first two quarters, unable to do much with the offense as the winless Jets’ struggles on that side of the ball continued. New York hasn’t gotten into the end zone in either of its last two games. After Carolina made it 13-3 with a field goal on its opening possession of the third quarter, backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor jogged onto the field to loud cheers from the frustrated fans at MetLife Stadium.
Taylor had already seen action earlier in the game when Fields was briefly sidelined after a late hit by Panthers safety Nick Scott. Though Fields returned, head coach Aaron Glenn made the decisive move at halftime, hoping to ignite a stagnant offense. Unfortunately, Taylor’s performance didn’t deliver the spark Glenn hoped for—he finished 10 of 22 for 126 yards and threw two costly interceptions.
Quarterback Controversy Brewing
With the Jets now 0-7, Glenn faces a difficult decision heading into Week 8 against the Bengals. He has not committed to either Fields or Taylor as the starter, stating, “That’s something I want to continue to look at”. Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason, has struggled mightily, and Taylor, while experienced, hasn’t shown enough to claim the job outright.
How Can the Jets Fix Their Offense?
The Jets’ offensive woes go beyond the quarterback position. The offensive line has allowed 12 sacks over the past two games, and the team has failed to score a touchdown in back-to-back outings. Solutions could include:
- Revamping the offensive line through trades or free agency
- Simplifying the playbook to help quarterbacks make quicker decisions
- Leaning on the run game to take pressure off the passing attack
- Exploring external QB options, such as signing a veteran free agent or making a trade before the deadline
What Jets Fans Can Expect Going Forward
Jets fans should brace for more turbulence as the team searches for its first win. Glenn’s decision at quarterback will be pivotal, but without broader changes, the offense may continue to flounder. Still, the team has shown flashes of defensive resilience, and with the right adjustments, a turnaround isn’t impossible.
