Aaron Glenn's mockery looks foolish after inevitable Justin Fields benching

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn found himself on the wrong side of his own words this past week. Just one week ago, Glenn mocked reporters who asked whether he would consider benching Justin Fields, dismissing the question as premature and unnecessary.

Fast forward to Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers, and Glenn decided to make the very decision he scoffed at, pulling Fields midgame in favor of Tyrod Taylor after yet another dismal showing under center.

Fields' struggles became impossible to ignore — just as they should have been a week ago — and Glenn made the necessary decision to insert Taylor after halftime. The move was unavoidable, but it also made Glenn’s earlier confidence appear tone-deaf and poorly timed.

Glenn confidently mocked the sheer possibility of making a quarterback change, telling reporters that they should "know better," before benching Fields just two quarters later. That's a brutal look for the first-year head coach.

Aaron Glenn looks silly after benching Justin Fields in Week 7

The Jets had every reason to bench Fields following his historically inept performance against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. In fact, you could make a very strong case that he should have been pulled at halftime of that game.

But it wasn't just the fact that Glenn opted to stick with Fields for another game — or half a game, as it turned out — that proved to be an issue. It was his mocking tone and outright dismissal of the idea of a quarterback change that made the eventual benching look even worse.

Glenn's words were an insult not just to the Jets fan base and media but to the players in his own locker room who were undoubtedly echoing the same sentiment. It was a slap in the face to the rest of the team and a hypocritical misstep from a coach who has supposedly preached accountability.

The fact that Glenn stood so confidently at the podium a week ago, ridiculing anyone who suggested a quarterback change, only to make that exact change two quarters into the next game, is downright embarrassing for the Jets’ head coach.

Glenn was non-committal on who the Jets' starting quarterback would be in the team's Week 8 game against the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday. Taylor didn't exactly do himself any favors with his performance, even if the offense certainly functioned better with him under center.

Glenn’s earlier bravado now rings hollow, making his indecision look even worse. His confident dismissal of a quarterback change last week makes the current uncertainty all the more glaring.

Fans and analysts are left questioning not just the quarterback situation, but Glenn’s judgment and credibility as a leader — and the questions, just like they were last week, remain valid and justified.