Jets' Tyrod Taylor explains mindset amid awkward Justin Fields situation

While New York Jets first-year head coach Aaron Glenn has declined to publicly say if Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor will be the club's starting quarterback for its game at the Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) this Sunday, most outsiders expect Taylor will be bumped up from the backup role to the QB1 spot on the depth chart. 

On Thursday, Taylor spoke with media members and addressed what has become an awkward situation for an 0-7 team that could become a seller before the Nov. 4 trade deadline arrives. 

Tyrod Taylor trying to keep things normal amid uncertainty

"I’m trying to keep it normal," Taylor explained, per John Flanigan of SNY. "Sticking true to my process, preparing mentally and physically to be ready for whatever the opportunity is -- I have no anticipation for [my role]. My sole focus is being available and ready to be able to lead this team when called upon."

Glenn benched Fields in favor of Taylor during the Jets' 13-6 home loss to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 19. Earlier this week, Woody Johnson strongly suggested he'd seen enough of Fields when the Jets owner basically blamed the signal-caller for the team's record. On Wednesday, Fields didn't deny that he could eventually ask to be traded before Nov. 4. 

Meanwhile, the Jets failed to score an offensive touchdown over their past two games. 

"It starts with me just doing my job," Taylor said on Thursday, according to Susanna Weir of the Jets' website. "And asking everyone else on the offense -- all 11 of us -- to execute our job efficiently. We don't have to be more than what it calls for. It's about us executing one play at a time and us being on the same page, believing in one another, believing in the scheme and going out there and playing free."

Will a knee injury keep Tyrod Taylor from starting vs. Bengals?

Taylor has been dealing with a sore knee since the loss to the Panthers, but it sounds like that issue won't keep him from playing at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium.

"I’m just taking things day by day," Taylor said about his health. "I’ve been listening to the trainers. They’ve done a great job of putting me through rehab and just getting mobility back into it. I feel good."

As of Friday morning, ESPN BET had the Jets as 6.5-point underdogs for this Sunday's contest.