Justin Fields caught off guard by Jets benching: ‘I didn’t anticipate it whatsoever’

Though things haven’t really clicked for the Jets’ offense this season, QB Justin Fields told reporters on Wednesday that he didn’t expect to be benched last week in Baltimore.

Head coach Aaron Glenn decided to turn things over to veteran Tyrod Taylor, who completed 17-of-28 passes for 22 yards and a touchdown, but still suffered a second straight loss.

“I didn’t anticipate it whosoever,” Fields said. “The first day it happens, it’s tough. It probably took me a day and a half to fully accept my role, then last Friday I felt myself in kind of a ‘Damn’ moment to where it was like, ‘Yeah, it’s actually real.’

“You can call it what you want, but A.G. thought it was justified and he makes the decisions around here -- all I can do now is focus on myself, focus on my team and just try to get better each and every day.”

Despite Fields’ surprise, the move certainly was justified.

The Ohio State-product showed flashes of his dynamic two-way potential at times, but in the end the negatives simply ultimately outweighed the positives.

Fields turned the ball over five times over the first nine games, absorbed the seventh-most sacks, and had Gang Green’s passing attack sitting among the worst in football.

Even after being leapfrogged on the depth chart for the second straight season, though, he still believes he has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL.

“You have to look at life in a positive prospective,” Fields said. “I’m blessed to be in this position and I know I’m going to get another shot -- that’s all that matters at the end of the day. When I do, I just have to be prepared and be the best player I’ve ever been on the field.

“I know I have the mindset and the skill to attain that. I just feel like I need to do it on a more consistent basis. That’s just what it is. I’m in this position now and all I can do is just keep on working, keep on getting better and focus on it.”

Whether or not that opportunity will come in the Big Apple remains to be seen.

Fields still has one year remaining on his current deal, but his future is uncertain with the Jets likely to select their QB of the future in the draft and a potential veteran addition.

The 26-year-old could see himself cut, though, he wouldn’t be opposed to staying.

“I'm not going to have that mindset to be like, ‘Nah, I don't want to play here,’” he said. “I think that's the wrong mindset -- I think the mindset is, every time you step on the field is an opportunity, and it's an opportunity not many people get.

“So, of course, any time I can step on the field and play for my teammates and try to help win is an opportunity.”