Justin Fields responds to Woody Johnson's criticism after needed Week 8 victory

Being the starting quarterback of the New York Jets can make anyone age in dog years, but Justin Fields had a particularly brutal stretch. The 0-7 starter saw owner Woody Johnson single him out as almost the sole reason for the team's poor start, which could have shattered his confidence.

Fields, who was benched in Week 7, was then thrown back into the starting lineup in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a Tyrod Taylor knee injury. The resulting performance was sensational, as Fields led the Jets to their first win of the season in a 39-38 thriller on the road.

Fields was quite the hot commodity after Aaron Glenn's first win as an NFL head coach. Rather than being boastful after showing up his boss following some demoralizing comments, Fields took the high road and claimed he didn't take those comments seriously.

Fields said Johnson's comments were "outside noise" to him despite Johnson's status as the owner of the team. The former first-round pick didn't shy away from how this was a tough week for him emotionally, but he credits his spiritual base and support system with helping him get through it.

Justin Fields responds to Woody Johnson after Jets get first win of 2025

Fields completed 21 of his 32 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown pass while adding 31 yards rushing. With a dominant offensive line only allowing one pressure in the entire game, Fields and the offense were locked in. Six different Jets players recorded a play of 20 yards or longer.

Fields' game might be even more impressive than his dominance in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rather than starting off a new season fresh, Fields put together almost 300 total yards on the road with a terrible wide receiver room that was missing their top two targets in Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds.

Fields may have beaten up on a bad Bengals defense, but the confidence he showed in throwing the ball vertically could give the Jets all the reassurance they need that he is able to replicate this performance. Even with the team at 1-7, Fields' arrow is pointing up.

While he may regress eventually, Fields more than deserves his time in the sun after a very trying week. The Jets may be in the middle of a brutal season, but Glenn and Fields proved they can concoct a winning formula under the right circumstances.