Aaron Glenn calls out critics over ‘unfair’ Justin Fields scrutiny

The New York Jets finally walked away with a victory, pulling off a late 39-38 comeback over the Cincinnati Bengals. Behind a dominant ground attack led by Isiah Davis and Breece Hall, the Jets racked up more than 200 rushing yards and over 500 total yards of offense.

But the biggest story was Justin Fields, who delivered his most complete performance since Week 1. Under heavy criticism from fans and blunt public remarks from team owner Woody Johnson, the former Ohio State quarterback responded with a composed outing, completing 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown without a turnover.

It was a collective effort for head coach Aaron Glenn, who earned his first career NFL win. Yet amid the celebration, Glenn made sure to defend his quarterback.

"Who he is as a person, his faith, and the way he goes about his business," Glenn said, per The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt. "He was primed to handle situations like this. It’s so unfair to him that he gets criticized so much."

Glenn’s support stood out in the middle of the firestorm surrounding Fields. And for at least one week, the noise should quiet down.

Justin Fields stands up to his critics

It had been hard to defend Fields’ play for most of the season. Much of his production came in garbage time, and at times he was ineffective enough to be benched for Tyrod Taylor.

Johnson’s public criticism, including his unprompted remark that Fields “couldn’t complete a pass,” was unusually sharp for an owner. But instead of folding, Fields met the challenge.

What the box score does not show is how confident he looked. He was poised in the pocket, delivered accurate throws, and used his mobility when necessary. It was a version of Fields rarely seen this season.

The question now is whether he can sustain it. The inconsistency has been the only constant so far, but sometimes public criticism sparks change, and perhaps that is what happened here.

For now, Fields has likely earned himself at least another start. With Glenn’s continued backing, he should have the leash to lead the Jets into the middle of the season.

The win also gave the front office a brief reprieve. For general manager Darren Mougey, whose quarterback gamble has been questioned since the start, Fields’ turnaround offers a flicker of validation, if he can sustain it.

He managed all this without top receivers Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds, a testament to both his improvement and the effectiveness of the run game. Another strong showing next week against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10 could go a long way toward stabilizing his season and a more respectable record.