Jets not ready to name QB1 after Fields benching

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets have no wins, no touchdowns (the past two games) and no answer at quarterback.

Coach Aaron Glenn, who bristled last week when asked if he was considering a quarterback change, reversed field Sunday after pulling Justin Fields at halftime in a 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium.

Glenn, presiding over the NFL's only winless team at 0-7, is now open to a quarterback shakeup.

"I'm not ready to sit here and say what's going to happen next week with our quarterback," he said. "I would say this: That's something I have to look at."

Fields, whom the Jets signed to a two-year, $40 million contract in March, got the hook after completing only 6 of 12 passes for 46 yards and taking three sacks in the first half. This was after a nine-sack beatdown last week in which the Jets produced -10 net passing yards against the Denver Broncos.

In came longtime backup Tyrod Taylor (10-of-22, 126 yards), who moved the offense a little but ultimately doomed any chance of a comeback by throwing two interceptions, both by cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Fields said he was "a little bit" surprised by Glenn's hook, adding, "But at the same time, I can't be mad at the decision. I understand why. It's life. It's football. I've learned not to take anything personal."

This was the first major quarterback decision of Glenn's short tenure. He came under fire for not pulling Fields during last week's loss in London. He was steadfast in his support of Fields, saying he didn't want to create a scenario where his starter was "looking over his shoulder."

Glenn's patience ran out after watching another half of horrible offense. There's also mounting pressure on Glenn, one of only nine coaches since 2000 to lose his first seven games.

"It was my call, and I thought it was the right time to do it," said Glenn, adding that he was looking for the proverbial "spark."

The Jets gave Fields a $30 million guarantee, hoping he could be their long-term answer. He sparked hope with an encouraging performance in the opener, but his performance has regressed steadily.

In six starts (he missed one game with a concussion), Fields is averaging only 141 passing yards per game, with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. It's rare for a quarterback with no interceptions to get benched, but there has been no energy on offense.

The Jets have scored only 17 points in the past two games, becoming only the second team in a decade to hold back-to-back opponents to 13 or fewer points and lose both games.

"It's always a tough decision, but as the head coach you have to take a look at, look at the team to see what is best for you to put yourself in a position to go win the game," Glenn said. "That's the only thing that was going through my mind when I was walking in [at halftime]. I told the offensive staff, and I went and told Justin and Tyrod exactly what I was going to do and made the decision."

Fields became the only quarterback in the past two seasons to go back-to-back starts with fewer than 4 yards per attempt. Glenn wants his quarterback to be aggressive, which could work in Taylor's favor when he makes the decision.

"I'm probably at a low right now," Fields said. "The old me would feel a certain type of way." Citing his faith, he added, "Nothing can break me."

Taylor, always known as a team player, said he'd be fine with whatever Glenn decides.

The Jets played without star wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee), who missed his first game in three-plus years. Without him, they had no firepower on the perimeter. Fields and Taylor completed only nine passes to wide receivers, only one longer than 13 yards.

The pass protection broke down again, as the Jets allowed six sacks. The Panthers, with the 21st-ranked scoring defense, had only five sacks in their first six games. The Jets have now surrendered 20 sacks in the past three games.

First-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is under fire. Each week, his unit struggled at the outset. In fact, the Jets haven't scored a first-half touchdown since Week 1. Asked to assess the playcalling in the past two games, Glenn said, "That's a good question." He went on to say everyone -- coaches and players -- are responsible for the struggles.

"The younger me, I could have been complaining or whatever the case may be," running back Breece Hall said of the playcalling, "but I'm not perfect, either. I'm just happy to be in this spot."