Former Virginia Tech QB named Jets' starter following injury to former first-round bust

Over the offseason, after the New York Jets cut ties with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they went out and signed former first-round pick Justin Fields as the starter over former Virginia Tech signal-caller Tyrod Taylor.

Fields started the first two games for the Jets, losses to the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers at home, and he was injured in their 30-10 Week 2 loss to the Bills. On Wednesday, New York coach Aaron Glenn said that Fields has been ruled out for their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida and that Taylor will get the start.

“He’s still going through his [concussion] protocol. So, he’ll be out,” Glenn said.

Former Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor to start for Jets at Buccaneers on Sunday

Taylor, who will make his 59th career start in the NFL against Tampa Bay, was 7-for-11 for 56 yards against the Bills on Sunday after Fields went out with a concussion. The 36-year-old will be looking to help the Jets avoid their first 0-3 start since 2021.

“Here’s what I do know — I know this is an instant coffee league,” Glenn said. “From the media, to the fans — everyone expects this — when you just start, OK, we’re going to the Super Bowl. But, we’ve all played Legos before. And you have to make sure everything is aligned, and you keep stacking it day by day. And to me, that’s how I look at it. I understand the outside noise, and I’m not affected by the outside noise.

“Because I know exactly what we’re trying to build here. And I wish it was instant coffee, but it’s not. These things take time. My confidence or the coaches’ confidence or the players’ confidence is not going to be shaken. We’re going to continue to do the things we’ve got to do to build this.”

There is no doubt that this is a must-win for the Jets and Taylor has been good for New York as a Jet anbd they'll need him at his best on Sunday against the Buccaneers, who are coming off a short week after a Monday night victory over the Houston Texans on the road, 20-19.