Rich CiminiOct 13, 2025, 11:30 AM ETCloseRich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.Follow on X
Broncos defense comes up with game-sealing sack (0:35)Jonathon Cooper and Brandon Jones get to Justin Fields to seal the game for the Broncos. (0:35)
Glenn got defensive after the game, scolding a reporter who asked if Fields would be his starter this week against the Carolina Panthers.
“This fifth game, he took a step back, and I’m with you guys 100 percent. We can’t have that. We have to be better than that, and he knows that. He knows that better than anyone. So I don’t think you just try to bench a player after having one truly bad game. I thought the other games he played fairly well.”
So, yes, Glenn is sticking with Fields, the team’s marquee addition in the offseason. The Jets gave him a two-year, $40 million contract, including $30 million guaranteed — essentially, a one-year audition to prove he could be their long-term answer.
It’s not going well — Fields is ranked 29th out of 33 qualified passers in Total QBR — but Glenn wants to give him every opportunity before turning to Tyrod Taylor. At the same time, Glenn risks losing the locker room if he stays too long with Fields, who has only four touchdown passes in five starts (he missed one game due to a concussion).
Even though the offense failed to score a touchdown against the Broncos, Glenn said he never considered an in-game quarterback change, not even a temporary switch. He said that would’ve created an unwanted “dynamic,” meaning Fields would always be looking over his shoulder.
Fields completed only 9 of 17 passes for 45 yards, often holding the ball too long or simply eating it for a sack. He was pressured on 16 dropacks, per NFL Next Gen Stats, but attempted a pass on only four of those plays.
After the game, Fields acknowledged that he needed to make quicker decisions, but he also said, “They’ve got a good D-line. They got to the backfield fast. Once you get into that rhythm, you have to go one, two and get the hell up out of there.”
Glenn didn’t seem to have much faith in Fields at the end of the first half, when he chose the let the final 30 seconds run off the clock on a fourth down instead of running a play from their 47-yard line.
The first-year coach is receiving heavy criticism for not trying to be aggressive. Even star wide receiver Garrett Wilson said he was “disappointed” by the strategy. After the game, Glenn said he didn’t want to take a chance on giving the ball back to the Broncos. He also said there was “confusion” because the officials didn’t immediately signal whether it was fourth-and-1 or a first down. He opted to head to the locker room, receiving an earful from Wilson as they walked off the field.
Glenn, once a popular player with the Jets, no longer is enjoying a honeymoon with the fan base, which has turned on him. He remained steadfast in his belief that he will turn around the team, insisting there were many positives from the latest loss.
“To consistently win, I do know this: There has to be improvement and, to me, I saw improvement within that game. Does that mean we’re going to go on this deal of winning every one of our games? No, but I know this: It gives us a better chance to win.”
On the injury front, Glenn said he was awaiting word on Wilson’s MRI. He suffered a knee injury in the game.
Broncos defense comes up with game-sealing sack (0:35)Jonathon Cooper and Brandon Jones get to Justin Fields to seal the game for the Broncos. (0:35)
CloseRich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.Follow on X
This time, Glenn gave a blunt assessment of Fields’ historically poor passing performance.
“He took a step back,” Glenn said Monday from the Jets’ facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
“You’re right,” Glenn said, “he has to get it out.”
On Monday, Glenn said he should’ve tried a Hail Mary with a few seconds left.
“That’s a mistake that I made, and I hold myself accountable for that,” he said.
Owner Woody Johnson, Glenn said, is on board with the process.
Jonathon Cooper and Brandon Jones get to Justin Fields to seal the game for the Broncos. (0:35)