FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – All Brady Cook wants for Christmas is to prove himself.
The Jets’ undrafted rookie quarterback has gotten off to the start he would have wanted. Cook has two games left in this season to show he can play in the NFL. These games may be mostly meaningless for the 3-12 Jets, but not for Cook.
“I’m ten toes in and I’m going to ride this out for two weeks and just do everything I possibly can,” Cook said.
Things have gone terribly wrong for the Jets for Cook to be their starting quarterback. He beat out Adrian Martinez in training camp for the practice squad job. No one expected Cook, 24, to play unless the season was a bust — and here we are.
The Missouri product will start his third straight game in the Jets’ home finale on Sunday against New England.
“It does feel surreal at times,” Cook said. “Four to five months ago I definitely didn’t expect this. Naturally, you just don’t expect something like this, right? But now that I’m in it, I’m just in it, and it’s day-to-day and it’s all day and it’s all of your energy, it’s all of your focus, and it’s all you can think about.”
The main reason Cook is playing is Justin Fields was a major flop after signing a two-year deal for $30 million guaranteed. Fields was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, ending his season and probably his Jets’ career.
After Fields was benched, the plan was to ride with Tyrod Taylor, but he got injured in a loss to Miami three weeks ago. The Jets were forced to go with Cook and they’re sticking with him even though Taylor is healthy. He will be Cook’s backup for the second consecutive game.
“I think he gives us the best chance to win,” Aaron Glenn said. “But we also want to evaluate where he’s at.”
The second statement is truer than the first one. Cook doesn’t give the Jets a better chance to win than Taylor, but it’s that time of season. The Jets want to look at young players. If by doing so it helps their draft position every loss is a win.
The Jets currently pick fourth and would like to move up to be in position to grab a quarterback. The more important game this weekend for the Jets is the one in Vegas between the Giants (2-13) and Raiders (2-13). Assuming one of them wins, the Jets could inch up in the draft order.
The Jets’ players and particularly Cook don’t look at it that way. They’re not even thinking about it. Cook’s focus is on showing improvement and taking care of the football. He has one touchdown pass, six interceptions and been sacked 17 times in three NFL games.
Cook looked beaten down on Sunday after turning it over twice and taking eight sacks against the Saints – some because he admittedly held on to the ball too long. A lot has been thrown at Cook in a short period of time and he’s being honest with himself regarding his performance.
“I think I’m handling it,” Cook said. “As a young quarterback, it’s important to be critical of yourself. These are very important reps and moments and opportunities for me to review myself and really understand where I’m at and where I need to improve. I think I would be doing a disservice to myself if I wasn’t extremely critical of myself right now.”
Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said they need to help Cook. Teams are throwing different blitzes at him and loading up to fluster him. It’s working.
Cook needs to play more poised and get rid of the ball quicker, throw it away to avoid the sack. Engstrand also said he has to put Cook in position to operate without “overthinking.” That may have been part of Fields’ struggles also.
“Brady’s going to put forth his best effort regardless, and he knows this is a great opportunity for him,” Engstrand said. “He’s just looking to put himself in position to seize the moment.”
Cook will try to do a better job of that in these last two games. He deserves to have some joy this season.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.