Jets coach Aaron Glenn is on the hot seat but defended Justin Fields despite an 0-6 start to the NFL season, comparing his QB’s slow release to stars like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen
17:22 ET, 17 Oct 2025Updated 17:23 ET, 17 Oct 2025
Justin Fields and Head coach Aaron Glenn
View Image
Justin Fields was defended by Aaron Glenn
Six weeks into the NFL season, the New York Jets still don't have a win, and their new head coach, Aaron Glenn, is already feeling the heat. But rather than deflect criticism toward his quarterback, Glenn doubled down in defense of Justin Fields and fired back at his critics, unlike when he blamed him for having a "bad game" in Week 6.
Fields has been criticized for holding the ball too long, which many Jets fans consider a flaw that has stalled the offense. But Glenn flipped the argument in favor of Fields in the same light as Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.
Article continues below
"I know that's a huge topic that everyone talks about," Glenn said. "But there’s a lot that goes into that. When you look at the time he gets the ball out, some of those have been his best games... when he's holding the ball three seconds or what not."
Article continues below
"That's who he is. Sometimes it's play calls, the way he sees things. I'm not sitting here saying he doesn't need to get the ball out," he continued. "There's a quick game where the ball needs to come out. You work on those in practice. There's also an element of, we know who that player is." While Fields continues to face criticism from fans, NFL legends like Kurt Warner came to his defense, citing the quality around him.
READ MORE: Jets make injury decision on Garrett Wilson ahead of Panthers gameREAD MORE: Micah Parsons launches scathing attack on NFL refs — 'I might get a fine for this'
Then came the comparison that caught everyone off guard.
"You look at Lamar [Jackson], his numbers getting the ball out are higher than Justin's. Josh Allen's numbers are higher than Justin’s," Glenn continued. "I think everybody tends to see who those guys are and understand that. For some reason, they don't understand Justin."
NFL Next Gen Stats backs up Fields' stalling of the offense under center.
Fields takes 3.01 seconds on average to throw, the third-slowest release time in the league, behind only Caleb Williams (3.08) and Brock Purdy (3.04).
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Carson Wentz, Dillon Gabriel and Patrick Mahomes headline the league's quickest passers, all clocking under 2.50 seconds.
The Jets are 0-6, highlighted by a 13-11 loss to the Broncos where they produced just 82 total yards of offense.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Fields completed nine of 17 passes for 45 yards.
Article continues below
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson confronted Glenn on the sideline over a mismanaged end-of-half sequence, and tension around the locker room suggests the head coach could be out the door.
Running back Breece Hall added to the noise this week with a cryptic social media post, fueling the belief that the team could purge the roster before the November trade deadline. The Jets hired Glenn on a five-year deal.
The team travels to Carolina for Week 7. The Panthers are riding a two-game win streak with victories over the Dolphins and Cowboys. Carolina will try to win three straight for the first time since 2021, while Glenn and Fields will be fighting just to get their first.