Jets QB Brady Cook still has something to prove in otherwise lost season

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — All Brady Cook wants for Christmas is to prove himself.

The Jets’ undrafted rookie quarterback hasn't gotten off to the start he would have wanted. He has two games left in this season to show he can play in the NFL. The games may be mostly meaningless for the 3-12 Jets, but not for Cook.

“I'm 10 toes in and I'm going to ride this out for two weeks and just do everything I possibly can,” he 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, but 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 that 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 was 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 now. He will be Cook’s backup for the second consecutive game.

“I think [Cook] 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 does, but it’s that time of the season. The Jets want to look at young players. If by doing so it helps their draft position, then every loss is a win.

The Jets currently pick fourth, and moving up would put them in better position to grab a quarterback. The more important game for them this weekend is the one in Las 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, though. 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 and six interceptions and has 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 him 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, and it’s working.

Cook needs to play with more poise, get rid of the ball more quickly and 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, too.

“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.

Notes & quotes: The Jets placed edge rusher Will McDonald (knee), linebacker Kiko Mauigoa (neck) and defensive tackle Jay Tufele (foot) on injured reserve. Their seasons are over.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.