Jets Owner Woody Johnson Critiques Justin Fields Amid Winless Start

The New York Jets remain the only winless team in the National Football League (NFL), prompting owner Woody Johnson to express his concerns regarding the team’s performance. Speaking at the NFL’s Fall League Meeting on October 24, 2023, Johnson specifically highlighted the struggles of quarterback Justin Fields and head coach Aaron Glenn as contributing factors to the Jets’ disappointing start.

Through the first six games of the season, Fields has achieved a completion rate of 63.7%, accumulating 845 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Despite these statistics, he ranks 17th in passer rating and 33rd in passing yards per game. Furthermore, Fields has been involved in three of the team’s seven fumbles, tying the Jets for the most in the league.

Johnson stated, “If you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you’re going to see similar results across the league. You have to play consistently at that position.” This evaluation comes on the heels of Fields being benched during the Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers, with backup Tyrod Taylor taking over for the remainder of the game.

In the aftermath of his benching, Fields reflected on the situation, saying, “I understand why. It’s life. It’s football. I’ve learned to not take anything personal. Coach wanted to see if there was a spark.”

Johnson further emphasized the need for improvement, saying, “If we can just complete a pass, it would look good. You got to convince them that you can do something; otherwise, it’s hard to have a game that you can win.”

Defensively, the Jets are performing relatively well, as Johnson noted that the defense and special teams have shown improvement. “The defense is pretty good,” he remarked. However, the team still faces challenges, ranking 23rd in rushing yards, 26th in points scored, and holding the fewest takeaways in the league.

On a positive note, kicker Nick Folk has successfully converted all 14 field goal attempts this season and is tied for fifth in field goals made. Additionally, kickoff returner Isaiah Davis ranks third in yards gained per return, showcasing some bright spots within the struggling team.

The Jets have a challenging history, recalling a particularly tough season in 1996 when they finished with a 1-15 record and began the season 0-8. With their upcoming Week 8 road match against the Cincinnati Bengals, the pressure is mounting for the Jets to turn their season around. The looming possibility of a winless season hangs heavily over the team, as they remain in search of their first victory.