Justin Fields shrugs off Jets proprietor Woody Johnson’s criticism

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields, shrugging off criticism from crew proprietor Woody Johnson, mentioned he isn’t searching for a dialog to clear the air. And he does not anticipate Johnson to method him.

“I do not suppose me speaking to him goes to do something,” Fields mentioned Wednesday after apply. “It isn’t going to make me play higher. It isn’t going to present me extra confidence on the sphere, so I do not suppose there’s essentially a degree in speaking about that, and I doubt he’ll come and discuss to me.”

Fields is struggling mightily for the Jets and may very well be on the verge of dropping his job to Tyrod Taylor. The muddled quarterback scenario took an surprising flip Tuesday, when Johnson, talking to reporters on the NFL’s fall assembly in New York, blamed Fields for the 0-7 begin.

“I am undecided how he feels concerning the scenario in any respect, however, I imply, I haven’t got any plans going as much as press him about what he mentioned,” Fields mentioned. “All people’s entitled to their opinion. That is simply what it’s, however you simply have a selection or not whether or not these opinions have an effect on you or not.”

Fields mentioned he wasn’t conscious of Johnson’s feedback till knowledgeable by reporters, though the matter was addressed by Aaron Glenn earlier within the morning crew assembly, the coach mentioned.

The quarterback is not notably shut with Johnson. Fields mentioned they met for the primary time earlier than a current sport, including that their relationship consists of fast chats earlier than video games.

“It does not trouble me,” he mentioned of the proprietor’s criticism. “After all, everyone is aware of I have to play higher and we have to play higher as a crew. And, after all, regardless of how the offense does as a unit, I will get the blame. And I perceive that — that is simply what comes with the job. You possibly can’t let something have an effect on your thoughts.

“Regardless of if it is him, regardless of if it is members of the family, even teammates, typically there’s going to be instances the place it’s a must to be the one one who believes in your self.”

Fields, 26, who’s beneath contract by way of 2026, declined to handle the opportunity of a commerce request. It will be troublesome to commerce his contract, which incorporates $10 million in assured wage in 2026.

“I do not like answering these questions, these — quote, unquote — what-if questions,” he mentioned. “I am not going to try this. That is not going to do something for me. That is not going to do something for this crew. If something, that is going to placed on a topic that the crew’s going to not deal with, and the most important focus proper now could be this sport on Sunday. In order that’s simply going to fire up extra stuff that we do not want.”

Johnson created the firestorm when, unsolicited, he alluded to Fields’ poor play, saying, “It is exhausting when you might have a quarterback with a score that he is bought. I imply, he has capacity, however one thing simply is just not jiving.”

Johnson additionally mentioned, “If we are able to simply full a cross, it might look good.”

Glenn mentioned he and Johnson are “on the identical web page” with regard to personnel. On Wednesday, Glenn declined to call his starter for Sunday towards the Cincinnati Bengals, saying he needs to create a aggressive benefit by preserving the Bengals at midnight. All indications level to Taylor changing Fields.