TIME TO APOLOGIZE
This offseason, I projected that the 2025 New York Jets would have both a Top 10 defense and a Top 10 running game. Based on that, I urged the Jets here, here, and here to go after Justin Fields as their new QB.
My thinking was that while Fields was a below average passer, he was an elite runner. In 4+ years he has rushed for 2744 yards and 22 touchdowns. That includes a 1143-yard season with the Chicago Bears in 2022.
Wearing my Gotham Green colored glasses, I had visions of Fields becoming “Jalen Hurts-lite”, and the Jets using the Philadelphia Eagles formula to become competitive in the new regime’s first season.
What can I say except, I’m sorry.
Fields seems to be a nice guy. His coaches and teammates speak highly of him. He’s publicly spoken about how “low-key addicted” he is to the Bible . Unfortunately, none of that seems to be helping him process the game like a competent NFL quarterback.
After under-performing in the first give games, the Jets defense held their last two opponents to just 13 points each. They would be sitting at 2-5 if they simply scored two touchdowns against the Denver Broncos in London and two more against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife
Considering that all 32 teams in the NFL, including the Jets, are averaging more than 13 points per game, this should not have been a difficult task. That’s why Glenn made the correct decision benching Fields and going with Tyrod Taylor in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Panthers.
And it is why Glenn should stick with Taylor next week against Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals. While it was worth a shot to see if Fields could create some magic like other recent first-round flameouts (Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, Baker Mayfield), we’ve seen enough. It is time to move on.
Sorry.
TIME TO SHIFT YOUR ATTENTION TO SATURDAYS
With apologies to Jim Nantz and the Masters Tournament, the real “tradition unlike any other” is for Jets’ fans to start scouting college QBs once their season goes off the rails. With that in mind, here’s how you can watch Mel Kiper’s Top 5 QBs this Saturday:
- Dante Moore, Oregon (7p, FS1, vs Wisconsin)
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (12n, Fox, vs UCLA)
- Ty Simpson, Alabama (3:30p, ABC, at South Carolina)
- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (3:30p, ABC, vs Alabama)
- John Mateer, Oklahoma (12n, ABC, vs Ole Miss)
TIME TO SELL
The prudent thing for the Jets to do heading toward the NFL Trading Deadline on Tuesday, November 4 is to hold on to all of their key building blocks (Garrett Wilson, Olu Fashanu, Armand Membou, Joe Tippmann, Mason Taylor, Jermaine Johnson, Quinnen Williams, and Sauce Gardner), while seeing if there is a market for some of their prospective free agents.
Here are the Jets’ current starters playing on expiring contracts:
- Breece Hall, RB
- Tyrod Taylor, QB
- John Simpson, G
- Josh Myers, C
- Allen Lazard, WR
- Josh Reynolds, WR
- Nick Folk, K
I still believe in Hall’s talent and would like the Jets to extend him before the deadline. If the two sides are far apart, and the Jets can secure at least a fourth rounder, then they should move on.
There’s value in continuity on the offensive line so I would like to see the Jets hold on to Myers and Simpson and let them play for new contracts. The Jets would likely jump at securing an asset for Lazard or Reynolds, but don’t hold your breath. And while receiving a late pick for a 36-year-old career backup QB sounds prudent, see above to know why the Jets need to keep Taylor in the fold.
The one player I would explore trading is Nick Folk, who’s aging like fine wine. He’s 14-for-14 in field goals this year after going 50-for-52 in his last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. The Jets could ship the soon to be 41-year-old kicker to a contender, give him a wink, and bring him back next spring.
TIME FOR A DO-OVER
The New York Jets flirted with Derek Carr in early 2023, before setting their sights on Aaron Rodgers. In a classic “lose-lose”, Carr ended up with the New Orleans Saints before retiring earlier this year due to “degenerative changes” to his right rotator cuff.
Would the Jets and Carr consider a do-over?
It was reported last week that Carr briefly considered making a comeback with the Bengals, before they acquired Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. If there’s a chance that the fire still burns inside Carr to play, the Jets should try to bring Carr into the fold now, even just to get to know his teammates and learn the playbook.
This would give the team and player a chance to date before marrying. If he’s healthy — and still motivated — it will open up a world of possibilities for the Jets heading into next April’s draft.
I think the Jets should make the call — and that’s something I refuse to apologize for (yet).
ICYMI “Mac’s Picks for Week 7”