Jets rookie quarterback Brady Cook gets first career start vs. Jaguars
Quarterback Brady Cook threw two interceptions in his first action last Sunday against Miami. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Brady Cook will get his first NFL start for the Jets against the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Sunday.
Coach Aaron Glenn announced the quarterback decision on Friday while also declaring veterans Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) out for the game. It wasn’t much of a surprise considering that neither Taylor nor Fields had practiced all week.
Cook, an undrafted rookie from Missouri who had been on the practice squad until last week, made his NFL debut last Sunday against the Dolphins, entering the game in the first quarter after Taylor left with his injury. He completed 14 of 30 passes for 163 yards and two interceptions in the 34-10 loss. He took first-team reps in practices all this week.
"I have all the confidence in the world,” Glenn said of Cook on Friday. “That’s something I have stated from the very beginning. He'll be a good player in this league and he'll have his opportunity again this week."
Said tight end Jeremy Ruckert: “There is a lot going on but I think he’s done a great job of processing that and stepping into this role. We’re excited to see him roll on Sunday and hopefully give him a chance to be successful.”
Cook will be the 55th starting quarterback in Jets history and the 41st player to start at the position since Joe Namath left the team in 1976.
Adrian Martinez, added to the practice squad this week, will serve as the backup. Martinez was with the Jets in training camp so had familiarity with the offense.
Besides the quarterbacks the Jets also declared tight end Mason Taylor (neck), cornerback Azareye’h Thomas (shoulder) and linebacker Kiko Mauigoa (neck) out for Sunday’s game.
Myers’ new deal: Center Josh Myers signed a two-year extension for $11 million. The Jets gave Myers, a former starter in Green Bay, a one-year deal in the offseason to compete with Joe Tippmann for the center position. Tippmann slid to right guard when Alijah Vera-Tucker tore his triceps in September. Myers has played every offensive snap this season.
Newsday's Al Iannazzone contributed to this story.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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