Fields to Be Benched in Favor of Veteran Tyrod Taylor

The New York Jets have decided to make a significant change at the quarterback position following a dismal 2-8 start to the season—a slump that firmly anchors them at the bottom of the AFC East standings and among the league’s worst teams overall. In response, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has benched starting quarterback Justin Fields, opting instead to turn to longtime veteran Tyrod Taylor for a fresh start.

Taylor, 36, is set to start this Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, the team that originally drafted him in 2011. The Jets’ passing game has struggled mightily, currently ranking dead last in the league at 32nd in passing yards per game, averaging just 139.9 yards. Fields, in particular, has struggled to produce, managing only 505 passing yards across his last five starts.

Although Fields remains under contract through the 2026 season following a two-year, $40 million deal signed in March, his future with the Jets is increasingly uncertain. It is almost guaranteed that the Jets will have a different starting quarterback come 2026. The organization has been actively reshaping its roster, having traded away two of its premier defensive talents—cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams—at the recent trade deadline. In return, New York acquired three first-round draft picks over the next two years, positioning the franchise to make a significant impact during the upcoming draft and beyond as they rebuild for future success and look to get their QB of the future.

Financially, Fields is due to earn $20 million in 2026, including $10 million guaranteed, with a cap charge of $23 million. By contrast, Taylor has seen limited action this season, having started only one game—in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—after Fields suffered a concussion. In that outing, Taylor threw for two touchdowns and one interception, nearly leading the Jets to a dramatic come-from-behind victory.

The hope for Taylor is that he can get the deep passing game off the ground and contribute to the team’s explosive play rate, which has been heavily lacking throughout the year. Taylor brings this quality while also maintaining enough mobility to be a threat in the running game despite his age. His career record as a starter stands at 28-29-1, a level of experience that the Jets hope can stabilize an erratic offense.