Jets' Aaron Glenn praises Justin Fields for handling of awkward Woody Johnson situation

Shortly after quarterback Justin Fields helped the New York Jets earn an upset 39-38 win at the Cincinnati Bengals that improved the Jets to 1-7 on Sunday, Fields admitted that he got emotional last week after he was on the receiving end of criticism from team owner Woody Johnson. 

While speaking with reporters on Monday, first-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn praised Fields for how the signal-caller dealt with an awkward situation before he produced an impressive outing at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium. 

Aaron Glenn credits Justin Fields for being vulnerable after win over Bengals

"Here's the point that I think everybody’s missing," Glenn said about Fields' postgame comments, per Alex Smith of SNY. "He was being vulnerable, but he was also teaching. He was teaching everybody out there that, listen, we’re humans, and things happen in our lives. … There’s so much that comes at these players that people don’t understand. They shoot arrows at all these players, and they don’t realize these players have feelings. And I think that was huge not only for himself, but for the other athletes out there that listened to what he’s saying, that it’s bigger than football a lot of times. Being able to handle yourself in a way of personality, faith, family, all of those things have helped him be the player and the person that he is right now."

Specifically, Fields revealed that he spent some time in his closet "crying on the ground" after Johnson basically blamed the 26-year-old for the team's 0-7 record. Glenn benched a struggling Fields to play backup Tyrod Taylor during the Jets' 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 19, and many assumed Taylor would start against Cincinnati. However, Fields got the nod on Sunday after Taylor was ruled out due to a bone bruise in his knee.

Against a bad Bengals defense, Fields completed 21-of-32 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown. Jets running back Breece Hall rushed for 133 yards and accounted for three scores (two rushing, one passing) on the afternoon. 

Justin Fields was exactly what Jets needed vs. Bengals

"He played the game exactly like we see him playing for us to win the game," Glenn added about Fields. "I would say that there are still some things within that game that he knows he has to improve on, and that’s going to be every game. We’re always going to be critical of ourselves. I’m always going to be critical of offense, defense, and special teams, some things that I think we can get better at. But yeah, he did a really good job for us yesterday. I thought he managed that game really well."

As was the case heading into the weekend, Glenn declined on Monday to confirm that Fields will remain atop the depth chart coming off the Jets' Week 9 bye. The 2-6 Cleveland Browns are also beginning their bye ahead of the matchup at the Jets on Nov. 9.  

"This is the bye week, and we’re going to focus on us, and listen, I have time to make that decision," Glenn said about his handling of the Jets' quarterback situation.