Justin Fields sat without a helmet on the sidelines after scoring a touchdown and backup Tyrod Taylor warmed up but never entered the game, leaving Jets fans baffled during TNF's loss to the Patriots
00:15 ET, 14 Nov 2025Updated 00:15 ET, 14 Nov 2025
Drake Maye and Justin Fields hug after the game
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Tyrod Taylor appeared to enter for Justin Fields, but sat back down against New England
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn only has himself to blame for a weekly tug-of-war quarterback uncertainty with the press, but Thursday night's loss to the New England Patriots created even more QB confusion for the struggling 2-8 franchise.
During the 27-14 loss to the Patriots, cameras caught Justin Fields sitting on the bench without his helmet after throwing his second touchdown of the night. The laser 22-yard strike to John Metchie III briefly lifted a Jets offense struggling all season to stretch the field.
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Backup Tyrod Taylor suddenly began warming up as if he were about to enter the game like Fields hit rock bottom again. It made no sense in real time, and it made even less sense once Fields jogged back onto the field for the next drive like nothing had happened.
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For a team that refuses to disclose its quarterback plans before games and a coach who spent the week stonewalling every starter-related question, the bizarre sequence immediately drew attention.
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Taylor has played three games and started once over Fields this season during a one-score loss to Tampa in Week 3.
Instead of seeing the 15-year veteran and Super Bowl champion, Fields put his helmet back on for the next offensive drive after New England converted a 44-yard field goal to stretch its lead to ten on the following drive.
The Jets' offense reverted to its problematic ways and failed to score another touchdown. They punted on the next drive, and Fields fumbled on first down on the possession after that.
Justin Fields rushes for a touchdown in front of Harold Landry
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Fields has just one INT this season
Fields finished the night completing 15 of 26 passes for 116 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions, and an 81.6 rating. The only other player to register a pass attempt was Isaiah Williams, who tried a trick-play back to Fields that fell incomplete.
Glenn mentioned that Fields made "some really good things" during his post-game press conference. The quarterback was prepared for a bounce-back mentioned earlier in the week.
He also added that the Jets are trying to steer clear of a habit where their QB, specifically Fields, runs all the time, as it will put him in harm's way.
Justin Fields throws a pass under pressure from K'Lavon Chaisson
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NFL fans thought Fields would be benched for Taylor
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The word that Glenn used for Field's scrabbling ability that he would like to see is "calculated. Fields remains one of the league's safest quarterbacks with just one interception all season, but Pro Football Focus ranks Fields 26th out of 37 quarterbacks with at least one start, while Taylor doesn’t qualify for evaluation due to limited snaps.
Fields ranks 27th in attempts, 30th in passing yards, 30th in passing touchdowns, and near the bottom of the league in pressure-to-sack rate at 24.8 percent.
His legs remain his most dependable weapon, recording three rushing touchdowns and ranking seventh in scramble yards.