New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Oct. 26, 2025.

Justin Fields helped lead the New York Jets to their first win of the 2025 NFL season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Fields acknowledged he was feeling emotional about the victory after the Jets' turbulent start to the campaign.

"It's been a lot for me emotionally, spiritually," Fields told reporters during a postgame news conference. "When I was on the field, I was damn near about to start crying, not because we won but because of the goodness of God."

Fields' first victory came after a week during which it appeared he might get benched. Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly criticized him at the NFL's midseason owners meetings after the team's 0-7 start while coach Aaron Glenn was mum about the team's plans at quarterback.

Ultimately, the Jets stuck with Fields after backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor was ruled out with a knee injury.

Still, the whole situation left Fields feeling "vulnerable" as he grappled with the adversity.

"I'm going to get pretty vulnerable right here. This week I found myself in my closet crying on the ground, lying down," Fields explained. "Not because of the hardships, not because of the troubles. I felt like I was built to handle that. I was put in place to handle this situation. But in that moment when I was talking to my best friend, how hard it was and just not wavering faith-wise."

Fields detailed he was able to buck up with the support he received from his friends and family. Notably, he referenced getting a message from his sister and stepmother encouraging him to "keep going."

"It was just a sign from God for me to keep going and that I'm in the right place," Fields said of that message. "So, I was like praying over and over… just one win"

Fields now has that win under his belt. As a result, the 26-year-old will head into the team's Week 9 bye with a weight off his shoulders as he looks to continue to hold onto the starting job.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Fields gets 'vulnerable,' teary-eyed after Jets first win

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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