New York Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly scolds quarterback Justin Fields after winless start
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson blamed quarterback play for his team's 0-7 start and repeatedly backed coach Aaron Glenn in his first public comments this season.
Arriving for the NFL's annual fall owners meeting, Johnson defended Glenn, praising the first-year coach's handling of the defence and deferred to the staff on who should start at football's most important position moving forward.
Justin Fields started six games, missing one with injury, but was benched in favour of journeyman Tyrod Taylor in the second half against the Panthers on Monday (AEDT).
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Johnson - clearly less than pleased with the way Fields has played since arriving in the Big Apple - didn't mince his words when asked about the on-field issues.
“The defence is pretty good. If we can just complete a pass, it would look good,” the 78-year-old told media on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
Woody Johnson has criticised Justin Fields Getty/Twitter
"We’ve got to complete some passes. You’ve got to convince them that you can do something. Otherwise it’s hard to have a game that you can win.
"It's hard when you have a quarterback with the rating that we've got. If you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you're going to see similar results.”
Johnson reiterated that Fields has "talent" but something was "not jiving" for the team.
The struggling Jets are last in the NFL in passing offence this season with Fields at the helm and remain the only franchise yet to get a win this season.
It comes after the Jets parted ways in ugly fashion with Aaron Rodgers in the off-season, who is now playing well for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The future Hall of Famer has thrown 14 touchdowns in six games, guiding the Steelers to a 4-2 start which included a win over the Jets in week one.
Johnson would not reveal if he regrets that decision.
Aaron Rodgers Getty
“I never look back," he said.
"You have to look forward in football. When you cut players, they could be a Hall of Famer. You just never know.
"But Aaron’s playing great now. He’s in a situation that’s working for him."
New York have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, having not qualified since 2010. Johnson said true Jets fans still have hope, like he does.
“They’ve been at it for a long time, so they know exactly what’s going on,” he said.
"I think they’re the smartest fans in the world. I think they do know what’s going on.
“The record speaks for itself, but I don’t go to any game thinking I’m going to lose. I see what you see - but I see more hope than you do. You can’t win with hope, but it helps."
