When Jets reportedly could make Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor change

Earlier in the week, first-year New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn defended quarterback Justin Fields after Fields completed 6-of-11 pass attempts for 54 yards in this past Sunday's 27-20 win over the Cleveland Browns that improved the Jets to 2-7.

For a piece published on Wednesday, ESPN's Dan Graziano revealed that Fields "will get another start Thursday night" at the New England Patriots (8-2), in part because the Jets "wouldn't want to make such a big change on a short week." That said, it sounds like backup Tyrod Taylor should do whatever possible to stay warmed up throughout what's expected to be a chilly evening at Gillette Stadium.

Could Jets make Tyrod Taylor move during Patriots game? 

"Taylor, who was in line to start Week 8 before a knee injury knocked him out and gave Fields another chance, is healthy now and could get into the game Thursday if Fields starts and struggles again," Graziano continued. "Then, with extra time before their Week 12 game in Baltimore, the Jets could make the move to Taylor."

Against the Browns, 42 of Fields' passing yards were gained when running back Breece Hall took a short pass to the house for a touchdown. According to Pro Football Reference, Fields heads into Week 11 ranked 29th in the NFL among qualified players with a 35.7 adjusted QBR and 32nd with 142.9 passing yards gained per game. 

How Tyrod Taylor could be an upgrade over Justin Fields

"New York thinks Taylor would help evolve the downfield passing game a bit, which isn't saying much," Graziano continued. "Fields threw for 54 yards Sunday...that 54 number is only the fourth-lowest single-game passing yardage total of the season for Fields, who played well in Week 10 against the Bengals defense but hasn't consistently shown what the Jets hoped he would. ...He theoretically offers the offense an explosive element due to his special running ability but is averaging only 27.6 rushing yards over his past five games after averaging 59.3 in his first three games with the Jets."

It's no secret the Jets can escape the two-year, $40M deal with $30M guaranteed they gave Fields this past March during the upcoming offseason. Meanwhile, ESPN BET had the Jets as 12.5-point underdogs against the Patriots as of Wednesday morning. In short, it sounds like Thursday night could prove to be the beginning of the end of Fields' Jets tenure.