It was bittersweet for the New York Jets on Sunday. In the backdrop of their stress-alleviating first win of this season, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38 on the road, the previous day’s announcement of the death of the revered former center Nick Mangold, at the young age of 41, due to complications from kidney disease, elicited collective sadness throughout the organization.
“One of the most iconic and beloved players in franchise history, Nick was the cornerstone of the Jets’ offensive line for 11 unforgettable seasons…but beyond the accolades and fierce play on the field, Nick was a leader, a teammate, and a friend whose impact extended far beyond the locker room,” the Jets expressed in a written statement.
Mangold was drafted by the Jets in 2006 out of Ohio State, with the 29th pick in the first round. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro selection. The Jets released Mangold after the 2016 season, and he officially retired on April 17, 2018, having never played for another franchise. Mangold almost assuredly will someday be posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The current players and coaching staff honored Mangold by besting the Bengals after a week in which fans and analysts were calling for the demotion of starting quarterback Justin Fields and elevating 36-year-old, 15-year NFL veteran Tyrod Taylor to QB1. Head coach Aaron Glenn might have been trending in that direction after team owner Woody Johnson publicly ascribed significant blame for the Jets’ dilemmas to Fields.
“It’s hard when you have a quarterback with the {passer}rating that we’ve got,” Johnson asserted last week. “He has the ability, but something is not [jibing]. If we can just complete a pass, it would look good.” In theory, Johnson’s criticism was valid, but imprudent to share with the masses.
His blunt commentary came after the now 1-7 Jets’ October 19, Week 7, 13-6 loss at home at MetLife Stadium to the Carolina Panthers, in which Fields was benched at halftime by Glenn after going 6-12 for just 46 yards over the first two quarters.
“I understand the nature of the quarterback change and listen, we needed a spark,” said Glenn after the game. “At the time, I felt it was the right time to do it. It was my call.”
With Taylor unable to play against the Bengals because of a knee injury, Fields responded with his best game of the season, throwing for 244 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, and rushing for 31.
“When I was on the field,” said the 26 year old from Ohio State, who is in his first season with the Jets, “I was damn near crying. Not because we won. But just how everything I’ve been through the past week, everything we’ve been through as a team these past seven weeks. Lots of ups and downs.”
The Jets will host the 2-6 Cleveland Browns at MetLife (1 p.m.) this Sunday.