Days after experiencing an emotional low point, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields turned his season around by leading the Jets to a thrilling 39-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 26, 2025. This marked the Jets’ first win of the season, as Fields orchestrated a remarkable comeback, scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 15-point deficit.
Fields showcased his abilities by passing for 244 yards and throwing one touchdown. He also played a crucial role in converting two 2-point conversions—one through a powerful run and another by completing a pass while falling. The performance was a significant turnaround for Fields, who had faced intense scrutiny and criticism in the lead-up to the game.
Before the matchup, Jets owner Woody Johnson had publicly expressed his disappointment with Fields’ performance, stating, “It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that we’ve got. He has the ability, but something just is not jibing.” Johnson emphasized the need for improvement, saying, “You can’t run the ball if you can’t pass the ball. That’s Football 101.”
Following the game, Fields opened up about the emotional turmoil he faced during the previous week. He shared that he had found himself “crying” in his closet, reflecting the weight of criticism and the pressure of the situation. “This week, I found myself in my closet crying on the ground,” Fields admitted during the postgame press conference. “Not because of the hardships, but because I felt like I was built to handle this situation.”
Fields described how supportive messages from his family helped him navigate this challenging period. “I had just gotten a text from my sister and my stepmom, and it was just an encouraging text to keep going and keep spreading the faith,” he said.
Despite Johnson’s comments, Fields emphasized the importance of the belief his teammates and coaches had in him. “That’s outside noise, at the end of the day. I get that he’s the owner of the team, but that’s outside noise,” Fields stated. “The biggest thing was my teammates believing in me and my coaches believing in me.”
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn also expressed his support for Fields after the victory. He highlighted Fields’ character and resilience, noting, “Who he is as a person, his faith, and the way he goes about his business—he was primed to be able to handle situations like this. It’s so unfair to him that he gets criticized so much.”
Fields, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the No. 11 pick in 2021, is now on his third team. His journey illustrates the challenges athletes face both on and off the field, and his performance against the Bengals may signal a turning point in his career with the Jets.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Fields can build on this momentum and lead his team to further success.
