The Jets‘ sadness continues.

A game where both teams struggled to score points, the Panthers (4-3) registered six sacks, and that helped them defeat the Jets (0-7) 13-6 in what could be described as a yawnfest on a 70-degree day at MetLife Stadium.

This is the third time in franchise history the Jets have begun a season 0-7, joining the 1996 and 2020 squads.

With 4:41 remaining and down 13-6, the Jets had one last opportunity to tie or win the game in regulation. But Tyrod Taylor, who came in for Justin Fields after halftime, threw his second interception to Jaycee Horn at the Panthers’ 40-yard line.

But after the Panthers punted after they went three and out, the Jets had another chance with 2:49 remaining. Taylor, however, was sacked on first down, and his pass on third down to Josh Reynolds was incomplete. The Jets then punted on their own 14-yard line and Carolina held onto the ball to preserve the seven-point victory.

“We have a lot of work to do and that speaks for itself,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “The only thing we can do is go back to work, that’s the only thing we can do.

“I understand the nature of the quarterback change, but we needed a spark at that time. I felt it was the right time to do it. Obviously, it’s a tough situation for both of those guys, but it was my call and I thought it was the right time to do it.”

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young left the game in the third quarter due to an ankle injury and was replaced by Andy Dalton, who completed 4-of-7 passes for 60 yards in relief. He threw the game’s lone touchdown to Xavier Legette in the second quarter.

After their latest loss, the Jets are searching for answers offensively. For the second straight week, their defense did its job by holding the Panthers to 13 points, but it was not enough. Last week against the Broncos, the Jets also gave up 13 points in London.

New York is just the second team in the last 10 years to hold an opponent to 13 points or less and lose both games [New England in 2023]. In addition, the Jets haven’t scored an offensive touchdown in eight quarters, which is why Glenn benched Fields for Taylor to begin the second half, which the half-filled fans in attendance at MetLife Stadium cheered.

Following his 45-yard passing performance against the Broncos last weekend, Fields had another inept performance on Sunday against the Panthers. The Jets had -10 net passing yards in the loss to Denver.

In the first half, Fields completed 6-of-12 passes for 46 yards. The Jets registered just 25 net passing yards during the first 30 minutes.

Glenn said last week he wouldn’t bench Fields over just one poor performance, but did say the fifth-year quarterback’s play took a step back against the Broncos. But Fields’ play has been dreadful during the first seven games of the season. But Glenn isn’t ready to name a starter for next weekend’s game at Cincinnati.

When asked, Fields wouldn’t say his benching was warranted.

“We all have different opinions,” Fields said. “We threw 12 passes in the first half, and I had [46] yards. It’s not my decision.

“I’m here to be the best teammate that I can be. I’m here to be the best person I can be. It is not up to me, of course, but I wish things would have went a little bit differently, not only for me, but for the team.”

The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million in guarantees in hopes that he could be the next quarterback to revitalize his career in a different location. But after six and a half games, Glenn apparently had seen enough.

Fields has struggled with accuracy and tends to hold the ball too long inside the pocket. The Jets’ offensive line has also struggled as of late, and receivers haven’t been able to get open consistently.

Taylor tried to spark the Jets offense, which has been nonexistent for a better part of the season. He finished 10-of-22 for 126 yards with an interception. However, Taylor opened up the Jets offense a bit by throwing deep passes down the field to keep the Panthers defense from strictly playing the run.

“I tried my best, that’s for sure,” Taylor said. “Obviously, we gotta go back and watch the film. I just tried to come in and do my job and execute.

Obviously, two turnovers can’t happen. Jaycee made great plays on both of those throws. I tried my best to create a spark.”

It didn’t help matters that the Jets were without star leading receiver Garrett Wilson for the first time since 2021, before he was drafted the following year. He suffered a knee injury late in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ loss to the Broncos in London last Sunday. Before Sunday, Wilson had played in 57 consecutive games for the Jets.

With Wilson injured, the Jets’ wide receiver corps was severely downgraded, with Reynolds becoming the team’s No. 1 option against the Panthers. The Jets receivers as a whole struggled to get open for Fields or Taylor all day. The Jets leading receiver was Tyler Johnson, who had three catches for 60 yards.

Both Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back and kick returner Kene Nwangwu exited due to concussions and didn’t return. Jets defensive tackle Jay Tufele also suffered a knee injury.

The Jets will have one final game before their bye at Cincinnati in Week 8.

https://www.courant.com/2025/10/19/justin-fields-benched-jets-panthers-nfl/