Jets' Aaron Glenn says QB switch to Tyrod Taylor is 'what's best for the team'

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Aaron Glenn isn’t ready to name Tyrod Taylor his quarterback for the rest of the season, but he is the Jets starter this week.

Glenn officially announced that Taylor will lead the struggling Jets’ offense in Sunday’s game against the Ravens. Justin Fields has been demoted from starter to backup. Glenn spoke to Fields and Taylor separately on Monday and then informed the team that he was making a change.

“It was purely my decision,” Glenn said before practice Wednesday. “I felt like it was the time to do it. Had good conversation with both of those guys. These situations are not always easy, but as a head coach you have to do what's best for the team and I felt like it was best for the team.”

A change was needed. The Jets are 2-8 and rank last in net passing yards, averaging 139.9 per game. In nine starts, Fields has 1,259 passing yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.

When asked if Taylor would have the position going forward, Glenn responded, “We’re playing the Ravens this week, so Tyrod’s our starting quarterback.”

Glenn wouldn’t reveal much about his conversation with Fields other than he wasn’t happy. Fields was not available for comment.

“Obviously, he's not happy with the decision and I don't expect him to be,” Glenn said. “But he understands. I have to make a decision as a head coach to try do what’s best for this team and I felt like it was the best decision.”

The 36-year-old Taylor is not the long-term answer for the Jets. That quarterback isn’t on the roster. Undrafted rookie Brady Cook will remain the practice team quarterback. Glenn didn’t rule out Cook playing before the season ends.

Glenn could have gone to Taylor earlier and in all likelihood would have for the Jets’ Week 8 game in Cincinnati. But he was hobbled by a sore knee and unable to play. Taylor replaced the ineffective Fields at halftime in the Jets’ previous game.

The Jets signed Fields to a two-year contract with $30 million guaranteed. Glenn believed he and his coaches could develop Fields into a complete quarterback.

Fields, 26, has had a rough season and tough time pushing this offense down the field. He has thrown for 505 yards total in his last five starts. He passed for under 55 yards in three of those games.

Following the Jets’ loss in New England last Thursday, Glenn said he would spend the long weekend “evaluating everything.” Fields had 116 yards passing, threw a touchdown and ran for one in the game. His receivers had some drops, but Fields also missed throws, as he has most of the season.

Glenn said “a number of things” have gone wrong and offensive failures are shared by many, but change was needed.

“You want your passing game to be better,” Glenn said. “That's not totally on him. There's a number of things that go into that. … At this point, I just feel like, we have to do something to get this team going offensively in the passing game. And I just feel like it was the time to make that decision.

“I do still feel strongly about Justin. That has not changed. But I do feel at this point that we have to make a change.”

The well-traveled Taylor will get his second start this season and 60th of his career, which started in Baltimore in 2011. Taylor called this “a full-circle moment, for sure” and said he’s grateful for the opportunity.

“It’s been a while since I went back there to play,” Taylor said. “They’re a very good team. I’m looking forward to stepping up the challenge this week.”

Taylor started the Jets’ Week 3 loss in Tampa with Fields out with a concussion. Taylor has completed 43 of 69 passes for 379 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in three games this season.

He said the Jets have shown “flashes” on offense but not consistently executing has led to the offense’s troubles. Taylor is hoping to change that.

“That's my approach this week,” Taylor said, “executing at a high level and doing it consistently to put ourselves in the best position to go out and put points on the board each drive and ultimately, win the game.”

Two-minute drill

Will McDonald (quad) and Harrison Phillips (foot) didn’t practice, but Glenn sounded optimistic about their availability Sunday. … Glenn expects rookie cornerback Azareye’h Thomas to be cleared from concussion protocol this week.

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.