Is It Time for the Jets to Reconsider Justin Fields as QB1?

After dropping to 0–6 following the loss in London to the Denver Broncos, the New York Jets find themselves at a crossroads, not just as a team, but at the quarterback position.

Justin Fields finished the game with -10 net passing yards, one of the lowest single-game totals by a starting quarterback in modern NFL history. For a franchise searching desperately for a spark, that number isn’t just bad — it’s alarming.

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Team Tailored to Fields

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand was brought in to modernize the offense and create a system that plays to Fields’ mobility and arm talent. Instead, the Jets’ offense looks disjointed, predictable, and often desperate. Designed rollouts are being swallowed instantly, and too many drives stall before crossing midfield.

However, at some point, the question becomes less about scheme and more about execution.

Head coach Aaron Glenn was asked directly in the postgame press conference whether Fields would remain the starting quarterback moving forward. His reaction — a terse exchange with a reporter — made it clear that the pressure surrounding this decision is rising rapidly.

Glenn didn’t commit to a change publicly, but the tone of his answer suggested internal conversations are already happening. With no team in NFL history having ever recovered from a 0–6 start, the Jets must decide whether to stay the course with Fields, prioritizing development or denial.

How Can the Jets Fix This?

If Fields remains QB1, the staff needs to fully lean into what he does best: quick-motion concepts, RPOs, and tempo-driven possessions that get him moving and create easier reads. Letting him attack with his legs to set up the pass could open things up — but that requires Engstrand to actually tailor calls around those strengths.

Right now, the Jets look caught between two philosophies. Either commit to Fields and rebuild the offense around his tools with urgency, or stop asking him to be something he’s not. The middle ground is producing the ugly results we saw in London: stalled drives, repeated sacks, and few points.

What Are the Jets’ Options at Quarterback?

If Aaron Glenn and the front office decide to make a change, here’s what they realistically have to work with:

• Tyrod Taylor — The veteran on the roster. Taylor won’t create highlight plays, but he offers steadiness, ball security and short-to-intermediate competence. He could stabilize the offense if the Jets want immediate, conservative game management.
• Brady Cook (Practice Squad) — A developmental rookie. Elevating Cook would signal a shift toward evaluation and long-term thinking. If the Jets want to learn about their QB depth and possibly evaluate talent for the future, Cook would get those snaps — but he’s not an immediate fix.
• Trade Market — The front office could explore a short-term trade for a veteran backup or bridge QB. That requires assets and willingness to pivot; at 0–6, the team would need to weigh whether a trade buys more long-term than it costs.
• Draft Positioning — The practical reality of sitting at 0–6 is that the Jets are likely in position for a high draft pick next year. If the team decides Fields is not the future, leaning into evaluation and accepting draft positioning to chase a true franchise QB is a legitimate long-term strategy.

No matter which route they choose, the Jets must be decisive. Half-measures — partially committing to Fields while running an offense that doesn’t fit him — will only prolong struggles and damage development.

The Jets still have time to define their identity this season, but the decision at quarterback will set the tone for everything that follows. Stability or change — Aaron Glenn has to pick a direction, and soon.