The New York Jets are keeping head coach Aaron Glenn for the 2026 season, but clarity at quarterback remains elusive. During the team’s end-of-season press conference on Tuesday, Glenn was asked directly about Justin Fields’ future and offered an answer that stopped well short of a commitment.
Aaron Glenn Stops Short of Committing to Justin Fields
When questioned about Fields’ status, Glenn leaned on contract language rather than long-term direction.
“Justin’s under contract. Brady (Cook) is under contract,” Glenn said. “When it comes to quarterback, we’ll always have the best guy. That’s always been the plan from the beginning, the guy who gives us the best chance to win. But to answer your question, he’s under contract.”
The response left the door open to multiple interpretations. While Glenn acknowledged Fields’ contractual status, he did not frame him as the Jets’ unquestioned starter moving forward. Fields started nine games this season and ranked 33rd in PFSN’s QBi.
Fields’ situation looms large as the New York Jets enter a pivotal offseason. New York is coming off a 3-14 campaign, one of the worst seasons in franchise history, and holds the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That draft position naturally places quarterback options squarely in the conversation.
Jets Emphasize Learning Curve, Urgency After Brutal Season
Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey both framed 2025 as a foundational year marked by hard lessons. Glenn repeatedly referred to himself as a “rookie coach,” describing the learning curve as significant and stressing that a second season will make a major difference.
“We don’t expect to have another season like this,” Glenn said, pointing to a heightened sense of urgency heading into 2026.
Mougey echoed that optimism and believes the Jets can be competitive and respectable next season. Notably, New York is the only team holding a top-five pick in the 2026 draft that has chosen to retain its head coach.
That confidence stands in stark contrast to the on-field results. The Jets’ defense, Glenn’s side of the ball, endured a historically poor season. New York allowed 503 points and failed to record a single interception, becoming the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without one.
Against that backdrop, Glenn’s comments on Fields read less like an endorsement and more like a placeholder. Fields remains a Jet on paper. Whether he is the Jets’ long-term answer under center is a question Glenn was not ready to answer.
