Why Justin Fields isn't playing today for Jets after Aaron Glenn's decision

The New York Jets are 2-8 and have finally made a quarterback switch from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor. Fields had started all but one game this season, and now will ride the bench, not due to injury, but to a coach's decision.

Aaron Glenn is sitting Fields after his Week 11 performance. While it started great with an opening-drive touchdown in primetime, the Jets $40 million quarterback struggled the rest of the way.

The decision from Glenn to sit Fields is not a surprising, nor unexplainable one. The Jets needed to make a decision at some point, and Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens was the week.

Why Jets benched Justin Fields in Week 12 vs. Ravens

The Jets are sitting Fields due to a coach's decision, one made by Glenn weeks ago. Ahead of the Jets' Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Glenn intended to sit Fields for Taylor.

But the 36-year-old backup had an injury that forced him out, leaving Glenn with Fields as his only option. Fields started and won in Week 8, giving Glenn his first win as the Jets' head coach, subsequently keeping his starting job alive.

After a Week 9 bye, the Jets came back out and had a Week 10 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Fields threw for just 54 yards passing, 44 of which came on a screen touchdown to Breece Hall.

More: Jets to make huge Justin Fields benching decision for Week 12 vs. Ravens

But he got the win and once again kept his starting job for another week. The Week 11 matchup against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football was Fields' to start. But after going 15/26 for 116 yards, one touchdown, and a loss, he was benched.

This decision has been a long time in the making and was only put on hold due to injury, a two-game winning streak, and a bye week. Fields is getting benched for Taylor, not just because of his poor play, but for another important reason.

According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the Jets want to see what they have in their young core of weapons in Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie, and Mason Taylor.

Fields isn't a good enough passer to give the Jets the film to analyze, so the switch to Taylor is designed to improve the offense and get a better look at the Jets' future supporting cast for a rookie quarterback.

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