No matter how bad you thought New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was in a painful 13-11 loss to the Denver Broncos across the point, Aaron Glenn's hand-picked starting quarterback was somehow worse than the box score numbers would indicate.
Fields was not just bad in this game. He was so paralyzed by indecision at every step of the way that he was unable to perform even simple reads.
The Jets' -10 passing yards on the day were the worst individual mark for any team in the last 27 years. In terms of EPA, the only time in recorded NFL history when a team that didn't turn the ball over was a Kyle Boller and Keith Null-led Rams team in Week 17 when they were 1-14 during the 2010 season.
In NFL history, there are only four instances of a quarterback throwing at least 15 passes and taking as many sacks as they had completed passes. Fields has three of those games, and the other one is Zach Wilson from his tenure with a Jets franchise that isn't allowed to ever have any fun.
Justin Fields was worse than the box score in pitiful Jets loss to Broncos
Fields has always had a strong arm and peerless athletic ability for a player his size, but his inability to quickly process and read the field has always been a problem for him, even going back to his prime with Ohio State.
Fields fans (a vocal bunch) are on less firm grounds for complaint. Sure, they are correct in assessing the Jets' coaching staff dysfunction and lack of quality weapons to throw to, but if three different coaching staffs in three different cities during a three-year span couldn't figure him out, maybe he just isn't very good? Complaints about the offensive line are silly.
The fact that the Jets, and the Glenn regime as a whole, are seemingly willing to go down with the Fields ship if he doesn't work out is nothing short of alarming. Since the Steelers' rematch in Week 1, Fields has been unable to lead his team to a touchdown in the first half.
Based purely on performance, Fields needs to take a seat on the bench as veteran Tyrod Taylor takes over as QB1. Fields is very much in his own head right now, on top of his usual processing issues, and the Jets seemingly don't believe there is anything to be upset about.