Brutal moment Jets star Justin Fields is told about owner Woody Johnson's damning verdict on him

Jets quarterback Justin Fields has hit back at Woody Johnson's brutal criticism - but only after hearing about the owner's harsh comments from a journalist.

Johnson blamed Fields for the Jets' nightmare 0-7 start in an astonishing public attack earlier this week.

The quarterback was brought in by new head coach Aaron Glenn to lead the Jets into a new era after two miserable seasons with Aaron Rodgers under center.

But he was benched against the Panthers on Sunday as the Jets' winless start continued. Pressure is mounting on Glenn, too, but Johnson defended his new head coach, claiming: 'It looks like he's turning around parts of it [but] it's hard when you have a quarterback with the rating that we've got. 

'He has the ability but something is just not jiving,' the owner continued. 'If you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you're gonna see similar results across the league... if we could just complete a pass, it would look good.'

On Wednesday, Fields insisted that the comments 'don't bother' him. The quarterback also claimed he hadn't heard Johnson's remarks before facing the media.

Fields also claimed that no one from the Jets had briefed him before he began taking questions. 

'I wasn't (aware),' he said. 'I'm not on social media. It doesn't bother me. It doesn't... there are going to be times when you have to be the only one who believes in yourself. 

'So that's his opinion and... I'm at peace. Our focus right now is working each and every day and getting better.'

Fields added: 'Of course, everybody knows I need to play better, we need to play better as a team. 

'And of course no matter how the offense does as a unit, I'm going to get the blame and I understand that - that's just what comes with the job. But honestly, it's what comes with it. 

'So you can't let anything affect your mind, my mind... no matter if it's him, family members, even teammates sometimes. There are going to be times when you have to be the only one who believes in yourself.'

Fields has endured a miserable start to life with the Jets and against the Panthers he was replaced by veteran understudy Tyrod Taylor.

Glenn also addressed Johnson's comments on Wednesday, defending the owner's right to express his opinion.

But the Jets coach suggested he would not be swayed by Johnson's views. In a back-and-forth exchange with a reporter, Glenn insisted: '[Woody] trusts me to make that decision... he has every right to his comment.'

Glenn added: 'We have to get better, we do. But I don't think there's anywhere in that comment where he said he doesn't like Justin.' 

Glenn's comments come after Johnson said he still believes in his decision to hire the new coach and new general manager, Darren Mougey.

The owner also insisted he would not intervene in Glenn's decision over who should start at quarterback.

'That's completely up to the coach. I'm not going to be involved at all in any of that,' he added. 'This is what they´re paid to do, and this is what they're experts at doing and so they'll make the right decision - with what we've got.'