Justin Fields hasn't lost his confidence, or his job, yet as the Jets' starting quarterback

Justin Fields played one of the worst games of his career last week in London, but he was never in danger of getting benched.

If Fields leads too many three-and-outs or touchdown-less drives against Carolina at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, though, Aaron Glenn probably won’t be as forgiving and reluctant to give the football to Tyrod Taylor.

The Jets (0-6) are desperate for a win. They had one within reach against Denver last week, but Fields’ pitiful performance (nine completions, 45 passing yards, sacked nine times) and Glenn’s poor in-game decisions cost the Jets.

Fields says he isn’t looking over his shoulder. As cool a customer as you will find, he is unfazed by the outcry across all media platforms for him to take a seat and confident that he will show he deserves to lead the Jets’ offense.

“I just try to focus on me,” Fields said. “It’s happened before, and I’ve looked back over my shoulder before. That doesn’t do any good for me, personally. It doesn’t do anything good for this team. So I’m just going to focus on me and continue to get better each and every day.”

Fields went through something similar almost a year ago to the day.

He was the Steelers’ starting quarterback while Russell Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury. Fields helped Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start. When Wilson was healthy, Fields lost the starting job and never regained it.

Coincidentally, Wilson took over in Week 7 last year against the Jets.

“I’m at a point in my life where nothing that I go through is going to faze me in a negative way,” Fields said. “I’m a firm believer in everything happens for a reason and God does everything in my life. He puts every obstacle, every struggle, every moment in my life for a reason, so I’m not stressed whatsoever. I’m happy in life.

“Of course, we want to be better as a football team. I want to be better as a player to help this team as much as possible, but overall, I’m in a good head space and just getting better.”

Fields, drafted No. 11 overall in 2021 by the Bears, has yet to establish himself as a starting quarterback. The Jets are his third team in three years, and it’s a safe bet that they will draft a quarterback next year.

The Jets gave Fields a two-year contract with $30 million guaranteed. Glenn believed he and his coaching staff could bring the best out of him, but they haven’t done that.

Fields ranks 29th in passing yards (799) and touchdown passes (four). He holds on to the ball too long, which has contributed to his being sacked 19 times.

Fields’ two worst statistical games as a starter have come this season. He set career lows with three completions for 27 yards in Week 2 against Buffalo before exiting in the fourth quarter with a concussion. The 45 yards against Denver was his second-lowest total. The Jets had minus-10 yards net passing that day, a franchise low.

Tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who is from Lindenhurst and grew up a Jets fan, knows everyone is coming down on Fields, but he believes his former Ohio State teammate will respond well on Sunday.

“The way he’s made up, he’s just going to worry about coming out of it the right way,” Ruckert told Newsday. “I don’t think he’s going to take it personal. He knows what he needs to do and he’s competitive in every aspect. So he’s going to compete with himself and just be the best version of himself.

“We know what he can do. He’s put on some really good performances this year and we have confidence in him, knowing that he’s going to bounce right back.”

Fields is extremely confident in himself. He’s spiritual and turns to his faith during difficult times to keep him level and bring him peace. His demeanor could serve him well in a time like this.

“What it helps with is to eliminate any roller coaster,” said offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, motioning his hand up and down to simulate a ride. “One of the best things about him is his mentality. He stays pretty even-keel the whole time. So I think that could be a benefit.”

It would be more helpful if Fields could find completions and move the ball up and down the field.

The Jets have scored four touchdowns in the last 43 drives that Fields has led, none in the first half. That’s why another slow start could force Glenn to make a quarterback switch to Taylor.

Fields vows to be “more aggressive” and “let it rip,” but he also said he can’t be reckless. He hasn’t thrown an interception this season, but he also hasn’t taken many chances or shots.

“I love exactly what he said,” Engstrand said. “He’s exactly right. He can go ahead and push the ball down the field. He’s got confidence in his receivers that they’re going to go make a play. And I don’t have a problem whatsoever with him having that mindset going forward.”

It’s the right approach for an embattled quarterback of a winless team, but it’s not the ideal situation this week.

Star receiver Garrett Wilson, Fields’ favorite target, is listed as doubtful because of a knee injury. The Jets’ other receivers — Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, rookie Arian Smith and Tyler Johnson — have a combined 20 catches, 16 fewer than Wilson.

Running back Breece Hall and tight end Mason Taylor likely will be featured heavily in the passing game after not getting involved last week. Taylor had one catch on one target and Hall wasn’t thrown to at all.

“It’s always important to try to get the ball in his hands,” Glenn said. “He’s one of our better players.”

Utilizing Hall more in the passing game could open up the Jets’ struggling offense. It might even keep Fields on the field.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.