Who will be the starting QB for the Jets vs the Bengals on Sunday? What we know about New York’s quarterback controversy

The New York Jets couldn’t have imagined a worse start to the season. Last week’s 13-6 defeat to the Carolina Panthers extended their losing streak to seven straight games. Their struggles are summed up by one key issue: head coach Aaron Glenn enters Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals without a clear starting quarterback.

Fields’ nightmare start in New York

Justin Fields has endured a nightmare beginning to life with the Jets after signing a two-year, $40 million deal in March. The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback was benched at halftime against the Panthers after losing his first six games with the franchise.

To make matters worse, Fields was publicly criticized by Jets owner Woody Johnson during the NFL Fall Meeting last week.

“If we can just complete a pass, it would look good,” Johnson said of the struggling team. “It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that he’s got. I mean, he has ability, but something just is not jiving. You have to play consistently at that position, and that’s what we’re going to try to do for the remainder of the season.”

Taylor little better off the bench

Fields, who went 6-of-12 for 46 yards, was benched by Glenn with the Jets trailing 10-3 at halftime. Backup Tyrod Taylor didn’t fare much better, completing 10 of 22 passes for 126 yards with two interceptions. The Jets scored only three points under his guidance, though they also allowed just three in the second half.

Glenn keeping starter decision quiet

So what will Glenn do for the Week 8 matchup against the Bengals? “I cannot tell you that,” the Jets coach told reporters Friday, adding that he didn’t want to give Cincinnati a “competitive advantage.”

Glenn said Wednesday that he already knows who his starter will be, though both Fields and Taylor told reporters they remain in the dark. The two quarterbacks have been splitting snaps in practice, but Taylor has been dealing with a minor knee injury sustained against Carolina, which could force Glenn’s hand.

There has even been some talk online that rookie quarterback Brady Cook, a member of the practice squad, could be thrown in at the deep end, although that would be a huge surprise.

Jets’ Week 8 injury report vs. Bengals

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson will miss his second straight game, while running back and kick returner Kene Nwangwu (concussion), defensive tackle Jay Tufele (knee), linebacker Cam Jones (hip) and tight end Stone Smartt (quad) are also ruled out.

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