The NY Jets starting the season with an 0-7 record has caused fans to question the quarterback, head coach, and owner. And as fate would have it, Jets owner Woody Johnson spoke to the media on Tuesday
at the NFL’s Fall League Meeting to address his thoughts on the team – most notably, Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields.
Despite the team’s struggles, Johnson has expressed faith in head coach Aaron Glenn moving forward. Even with their winless record, the owner believes he’s seen changes on defense and special teams that merit patience with the first-year head coach.
“I do believe in Aaron,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “I’ve known Arron since 1996 — I was a fan, I’ve always been a fan of him. I see the way he handles a room. If I were a player, I would respond to him because he’s the real deal. No BS, there’s no second agendas — what you’re hearing is the truth. And a lot of time players don’t get the truth; they get a lot of gobbledygook.”
However, the Jets owner didn’t speak as kindly regarding quarterback in Justin Fields.
One of the biggest culprits to the 0-7 start for the New York Jets has been their quarterback. Fields isn’t performing well as a passer, seeing the field well, or making plays to put the team in winning situations. By now, most fans [and reportedly, players] have realized this. And now, it seems like Johnson is also on the blame train.
“It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that we’ve got,” said Johnson of the team’s struggles with Fields. “He has the ability, but something is just not jiving. But if you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you’re going to see similar results across the league.”
However, that’s not all the owner of the Jets stated. While noting improvements on special teams and defense, Johnson did take on final jab at the current quarterback for New York.
“I just think defense, special teams are doing better,” Johnson said. “Defense is pretty good. If we could just complete a pass, it would look good. We got to complete some passes.”
Notably, the NY Jets moved on from Aaron Rodgers and his hefty price tag this offseason. The team cleaned house of some of their more expensive “rentals”, and opted to go in a rebuilding phase led by Fields. While the thought process made sense, the execution has been below even the harshest critic’s expectations. Now, as signs start to point towards Tyrod Taylor being given the reigns, it’ll be interesting to see how Aaron Glenn and the Jets proceed from here.
