Brady Cook, Jets

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New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins.

Brady Cook is getting the opportunity of a lifetime.

The undrafted free agent out of Missouri is getting the first start of his NFL career for the New York Jets in Week 15.

Head coach Aaron Glenn shared some words of encouragement before the rookie quarterback steps on the field versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I really just enjoy watching guys on this team get opportunities in general. I don’t care [if you’re a] draft pick, not a draft pick, where you come from, because I know how hard it is in this business. Sometimes you only have one shot, and when you have that one shot, man, you have to shine in that shot because you never know if you’re going to get it again. He understands that, along with any other guy that gets an opportunity, understands that also. I am looking forward to him going out just like any of our other guys that have gotten their shot and have shown up. This will be a good week for him,” Coach Glenn explained.

Jets QB Decision Moving Forward in 2025

The green and white have four remaining games in the 2025 regular season. On Sunday, the Jets will start Cook, and newly acquired Adrian Martinez will back him up.

What about the quarterback situation moving forward? A big shoulder shrug emoji.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted on social media, “Barring a full-scale disaster Sunday, the Jets should start Brady Cook for the rest of the season. See what the kid’s got. Of course, they may not have a choice due to the Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields injuries, the latter of which is a bit on the mysterious side.”

Barring a full-scale disaster Sunday, the Jets should start Brady Cook for the rest of the season. See what the kid’s got. Of course, they may not have a choice due to the Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields injuries, the latter of which is a bit on the mysterious side. #Jets

Regardless of Sunday’s result, it makes sense to keep the Cook train rolling. What else do you have to lose? The Jets are 3-10, they have already missed the playoffs, and what’s the worst thing that could happen? The Jets lose more games?

That would help the team’s draft position ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.

Jets Have a Chance to Hit the Jackpot

Let’s be honest. The chances of Cook performing so well over the final month of the season that the Jets no longer need a quarterback are slim to none.

However, what is more likely, even if it’s a small percentage, is Cook showing enough to potentially be the long-term backup QB for the Jets.

The Jets’ backup quarterback to start the year, Tyrod Taylor, is 36 years of age and is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason. It’s unclear if he will return next season. Justin Fields feels like he won’t be here based on how things played out this season.

Since neither quarterback has much of a future here, why play them anymore? At least Cook has a chance to show something and be under team control for dirt cheap moving forward.

If Cook accomplishes that, the Jets just hit the jackpot. Quarterbacks are a premium in the NFL. That is true whether they are starters or backups.

Just look at the Jets this season, Cook will be the third quarterback to start a game for them this season.

This will be the sixth time in the last 11 seasons that the Jets have started at least three different QBs in the same year.

Crazy #Jets stat:

Over the last 11 seasons, the Jets have started at least three different quarterbacks in a single year five times — Sunday will be the sixth time in 11 seasons.

Welcome to the lineup, Brady Cook. #JetUp

Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.

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