What does Justin Fields' benching mean for the Jets' future? - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In his first personnel move as the New York Jets' coach, Aaron Glenn fired quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In his latest quarterback decision, Glenn benched Rodgers' replacement Justin Fields, signaling the most likely end to the organization's $30 million gambit after 10 games.

An NFL coach doesn't have endless mulligans, but Glenn will be afforded another swing to solve the riddle that has confounded the franchise since Joe Namath played his last game 50 years ago.

The next one is the big one. It will likely be a high draft pick (in 2026 or 2027) or perhaps a trade for a veteran.

What happened Monday — Glenn informed the team that Fields will be replaced by Tyrod Taylor — confirms that the Jets (2-8) will have two lame-duck quarterbacks for the remainder of the season. It felt inevitable. Heck, Glenn almost made the switch four weeks ago after pulling Fields in a dreadful loss to the Carolina Panthers.

While New York will prepare for its final seven games, the long-term focus shifts to the offseason — when the Jets are expected to reset their quarterback depth chart. Fields is under contract for 2026 ($20 million salary, half of which is guaranteed), but it's hard to imagine him as part of the plan. Taylor, 36, will be a free agent.

So there's a good chance the Jets will start over, with a veteran and a rookie. They have a surplus of first-round draft picks, thanks to the recent Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades — two in 2026, three in 2027.

First, this question must be asked: Can the people who got it so wrong with Fields get it right with the next one?

Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will be charged with the big decision, just as Joe Douglas was in 2021 (Zach Wilson) and Mike Maccagnan