New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn knows who the New York Jets’ starting quarterback will be at Cincinnati. But the coach, still looking for his first victory, isn't revealing his plan.

“We will have a quarterback on Sunday,” Glenn said Wednesday. “I will tell you that.”

Justin Fields was benched after another dismal performance last Sunday and Tyrod Taylor played the second half of New York's 13-6 loss to Carolina.

Glenn said Monday he would speak to his staff and even talk to other coaches who have dealt with quarterback quandaries. He also said his call would come down to who he thought gives the Jets the best chance to win Sunday against the Bengals.

And he doesn't want Cincinnati to know who that might be.

“I wouldn't want to give them a competitive advantage when I have that opportunity,” Glenn said. “But we will have a quarterback.”

Adding to the ambiguity of the situation, Taylor is dealing with a knee ailment — “It's something that he had before,” Glenn said.

Taylor had arthroscopic knee surgery during training camp and didn't play in the preseason. He has been healthy since returning ahead of Week 1. Taylor was on the field for warmups with Fields and rookie Brady Cook during the portion of practice open to the media and was listed as a limited participant on the injury report.

After practice, Fields said he wasn't told who was starting this week.

“I honestly don't know and that's a question for A.G.,” said Fields, who added the quarterbacks split the snaps.

Fields also said he's “at peace” with his situation, regardless of the outside noise.

“Literally everything around me can quote-unquote be negative in terms of the world,” Fields said. “But I promise you there’s nothing in this world, there’s nothing that can faze me, and that’s just due to my relationship with the Lord.”

It appeared likely the Jets would turn to Taylor this week because of Fields' recent struggles — and particularly after owner Woody Johnson told reporters at the NFL’s annual fall owners meeting that the Jets' 0-7 start was largely because of the poor play at quarterback by Fields.

“He has the ability, but something just is not jiving,” Johnson said. “The offense is just not clicking. And you can’t run the ball if you can’t pass the ball. That’s Football 101.”

Fields was 6 of 12 for 46 yards in the first two quarters against the Panthers. That came a week after he was 9 of 17 for 45 yards and sacked nine times in the Jets’ 13-11 loss to Denver in London, when New York had a franchise-worst minus-10 net yards passing.

Fields said after practice Wednesday he didn't previously hear what Johnson said because he doesn't follow social media.

“It doesn't bother me,” Fields said. "It doesn't. Of course, everybody knows I need to play better, we need to play better as a team. Of course, no matter how the offense does as a unit, I'm going to get the blame and I understand that. It's just what comes with the job. ...

“No matter if it's him, no matter if it's family members or even teammates sometimes, there's going to be times where you have to be the only one who believes in yourself.”

Fields said he doesn't plan to speak to Johnson about his comments and added he hasn't had many interactions with the owner since signing a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets in March.

Johnson made it clear he wasn’t happy with Fields, but insisted he would not influence Glenn’s decision.

On Wednesday, Glenn pushed back at the narrative that Johnson clearly would prefer Taylor to play over Fields.

“What makes you say that? Did he say that?” Glenn asked a reporter.

When told that Johnson was critical of Fields and said he had trouble completing passes, Glenn bristled again.

“Does that say he doesn’t like the quarterback?" Glenn said. "Does that say that this quarterback is not playing?”

Glenn was then asked how Johnson's comments might have impacted his final call.

“Woody puts that in my hands as far as who plays and I don't see that changing," Glenn said. "He trusts me to make that decision. He made a comment and he has every right to his comment. That comment was actually said by a number of guys, including our quarterback, as far as the efficiency of how we play. ...

“But I don’t think there’s anywhere in that comment where he said he doesn’t like Justin.”

Last week, Glenn defended Fields by saying the quarterback took “a step back” against Denver, but attributed that to several factors. Against Carolina, it was more of the same struggles for Fields and the NFL’s worst-ranked passing offense.

Trying to spark things, Glenn benched Fields at halftime. Taylor went 10 of 22 for 126 yards and two interceptions in Fields’ place.

Injuries

Glenn said cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back Kene Nwangwu are in the concussion protocol and their availability for the game at Cincinnati is uncertain. Cornerback Michael Carter II cleared the protocol and fully practiced.

Linebacker Quincy Williams was designated to return from injured reserve and was a full participant as he works toward returning from a shoulder injury.

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee), cornerback Sauce Gardner (concussion), running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (concussion), linebacker Cam Jones (hip), tight end Stone Smartt (quad) and defensive tackle Jay Tufele (knee) all sat out.

Running back Breece Hall (knee), edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (ankle) and cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers (hip) were limited.

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