Could Jets' Justin Fields reclaim starting job from Tyrod Taylor after benching?

Multiple reports confirmed earlier in the week that the New York Jets benched struggling starting quarterback Justin Fields in favor of journeyman Tyrod Taylor ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens (5-5) this Sunday. 

Some had wondered whether the Jets could turn back to Fields before Week 18 ends, since the 2-8 team already knows what the 36-year-old Taylor is and isn't as a pro. On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano said the Jets have already seen enough of Fields to determine his future with the organization.

Will Jets' Justin Fields move be temporary?

"The move is not expected to be temporary," Graziano directly said. "Unless Taylor gets injured (which he has some history of doing), I don't get the sense the Jets will go back to Fields this season. And there will certainly be a new quarterback in New York next year, whether it's via the draft or a veteran outside solution such as Kyler Murray."

A Tuesday story suggested that the Jets could potentially make undrafted rookie Brady Cook their QB2 on the depth chart behind Taylor, to ensure Fields doesn't get injured during games before the season ends. The Jets are expected to release Fields during the offseason. 

Fields went 2-7 across nine starts with the Jets, and he passed for fewer than 60 yards in four of those games. According to Graziano, such lackluster numbers only tell part of the story behind the Jets' decision to bench the 26-year-old. 

Why Jets want to play Tyrod Taylor over Justin Fields

"The Jets' reason for moving from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor has a lot to do with their desire to evaluate the young non-quarterbacks on their roster, especially tight end Mason Taylor and recently acquired wide receivers John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell," Graziano added. "...[The Jets] know Tyrod Taylor brings increased turnover risk because he'll take chances Fields won't, but they need to figure out what they have in the rest of their receiving corps before making an offseason plan. And they felt they weren't going to be able to do that with Fields constantly checking it down and/or holding the ball too long." 

As of Wednesday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Jets as 13.5-point underdogs against the Ravens. If nothing else, Taylor may have to air it out early and often at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium to keep the Week 12 matchup from becoming a laugher.