Jets Owner Woody Johnson Backs Aaron Glenn, Takes Shot at Justin Fields Amid 0-7 Start to Season
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, in his first public address concerning the NFL’s lone winless franchise, conveyed a sense of optimism on Tuesday that is largely absent among observers of his team. Speaking at the outset of NFL league meetings, Johnson highlighted the commendable efforts of the 0-7 Jets defense and special teams units under the leadership of first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
"I see what you see, but I see more hope than you do," Johnson told a group of reporters. "You can’t win with hope, but it helps."
Glenn, a former first-round pick by the Jets in 1994, is tasked with ending the team’s league-leading playoff drought. However, barring an unprecedented turnaround, that objective will not be achieved in 2025. Glenn holds the unfortunate distinction of being the first coach in Jets history to begin his tenure with a 0-7 record, and he is the first first-year coach in the NFL to suffer such a start in six years.
Despite the dismal record, Johnson expressed his unwavering support for Glenn, stating that he greets him with a hug and words of encouragement daily. "I do believe in Aaron," Johnson said. "If I were a player, I’d respond to him because he’s the real deal."
Jets sources have indicated that firing Glenn in his first year is highly improbable, if not impossible. Although Johnson was not specifically asked to commit to Glenn beyond 2025, his comments made it clear that he has great belief in his coach despite the troubling start.
However, Johnson’s faith did not extend to quarterback Justin Fields, whom the Jets signed to a two-year deal in the offseason. Fields’ performance has been subpar, leading Johnson to remark, "If we could complete a pass, it would look good."
While Fields has completed nearly 64% of his passes and has yet to throw an interception, his overly conservative play has resulted in 22 sacks (second-most in the league) and an expected-points-added-per-dropback of negative 0.09, tied for 28th in the league.
"It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that … he has the ability, but something is just not [jibing,]" Johnson said. "But if you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you’re going to see similar results if you go across the league. You have to play consistently at that position, and that’s what we’re going to try to do for the remainder of the season."
Fields’s negative EPA/dropback is on par with Bryce Young, who has led the Carolina Panthers to a 4-3 record. Geno Smith, Joe Flacco, and Cam Ward are the only regular starters with a worse EPA/dropback.
The Jets find themselves at a quarterback crossroads. Glenn declined to commit to Fields as the starter after Sunday’s 13-6 home loss to Carolina, and on Monday, the coach said he’s still evaluating his options while studying how other teams have handled QB switches.
Typically, when coaches don’t commit to the starter on Monday, that indicates a change would be coming. Veteran Tyrod Taylor is waiting in the wings should Glenn pull the trigger and make the change, which more than one source has believed is likely.
Johnson said he’s staying out of that, leaving the football matters to the football people he hired.
The Jets travel to Cincinnati in Week 8 to face the Bengals before a Week 9 bye. Teams have poked around the Jets for a potential sale of assets, but so far Gang Green hasn’t made a deal.
League sources believe RB Breece Hall and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson are the top tradable assets for the Jets. One source said the Jets have been "stubborn" with their asking prices. Two weeks remain before the NFL trade deadline.
At these same meetings last year, Johnson took a victory lap after helping engineer a trade with the Raiders for receiver Davante Adams. The deal was supposed to turn around the fortunes of a team that was 2-4 at the time. The Jets went on to win three more games the entire year and fire the coach and GM in the process.
Now, Johnson is just hoping for one victory. The Jets’ current predicament underscores the challenges of building a successful NFL team, particularly when the quarterback position is in flux. Johnson’s unwavering support for Glenn suggests a long-term commitment to the coach’s vision, while his criticism of Fields highlights the team’s urgent need for improved quarterback play. The remainder of the season will be crucial in determining the Jets’ path forward, as they seek to salvage their season and lay the foundation for future success. The looming trade deadline adds another layer of intrigue, as the Jets must decide whether to hold onto their key assets or capitalize on potential trade opportunities to bolster their roster.
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