Jets have nothing to lose: Brady Cook should be the starting QB against Jaguars
The Jets' Brady Cook throws a pass during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 7. Credit: Jim McIsaac
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — It has come to this for the Jets: Undrafted rookie Brady Cook could be their starting quarterback and Adrian Martinez his backup on Sunday against the Jaguars.
At this point, that’s what the Jets should do. At the very least, they should let Brady cook.
Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields were not healthy enough to practice Wednesday. Cook took all of the first-team reps. Martinez, just signed to the practice squad, ran the scout team.
Cook and Martinez were the Jets’ QB1 and QB2 in their final preseason game in August and again on Wednesday. Why not keep it like that in Jacksonville?
“There’s a plan for the quarterbacks,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “Either way it works out during the week, we got all our bases covered.”
This dismal season continues to take unexpected turns — from starting 0-7 to trading away perceived cornerstones Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. This is the latest twist.
The Jets brought back Martinez, who was released by the 49ers earlier this week, because he knows the offense and they may need a body. He and Cook have combined to throw 30 NFL passes, all of them by Cook in his NFL debut last week against Miami.
Glenn, of course, wouldn’t publicly commit to who his starter will be. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Taylor or Fields being healthy enough to play.
“We’ll see how they progress during the week,” Glenn said.
Taylor is a long shot to play. He suffered a groin injury in the first quarter against Miami. Fields would seem to have a better chance.
According to Glenn, Fields complained of knee soreness during practice last week. He was limited on Thursday and didn’t practice on Friday, which was when Glenn ruled out Fields.
During the portion of Wednesday’s practice that was open to the media, Fields jogged lightly on a side field while Cook and Martinez threw passes to a skeleton crew of skill players.
Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Mason Taylor didn’t practice. Glenn sounded confident that Hall (knee) and Taylor (neck) would play Sunday. The Jets haven’t opened the 21-day window for Wilson (knee) to be activated from injured reserve yet, if they do at all.
Wilson is a cornerstone. It makes little sense for him to return and risk aggravating his knee or worse when the Jets are essentially playing out the string.
They’re 3-10 with four games remaining. Their draft position is really all their fans care about right now — at least the ones that haven’t already abandoned ship. You can’t blame them after 15 straight years of missing the playoffs, 10 consecutive years with a losing record and six in a row of double-digit defeats.
Glenn has said he would play the quarterback who gives the Jets the best chance to win. Presuming Taylor is out and Fields is healthy, it’s Fields over Cook. It’s Glenn’s call, but Cook is already taking first-team reps. Let him continue to take them for the rest of the week and give Cook his first NFL start on Sunday. See what the former Missouri standout can do.
“Every rep I get this week is so valuable,” Cook said. “I’m going to take advantage of them. Got a long week to prepare. I just need to take advantage of these reps I’m getting. They’re important.”
Glenn said these reps will help Cook build continuity with his teammates before adding, “We’ll see how this week progresses when it comes to our quarterback situation.”
The opportunistic Jaguars defensive players have to be licking their chops right now, no matter how the Jets’ QB situation shakes out. Jacksonville is the No. 1-ranked run defense and is No. 2 with 15 interceptions — sadly, 15 more than the Jets.
Cook completed 14 of 30 passes for 163 yards and two end-zone interceptions in his NFL debut. Jets pass-catchers also had five drops, including what would have been a walk-in touchdown by John Metchie III.
Glenn praised Cook for being smart, tough and competitive and thought he did “a pretty good job” coming in for Taylor with the Jets down 21-0. Cook’s teammates were impressed with his command of the huddle and the offense.
This season has already gone off the rails for the Jets. Glenn should just let Brady cook against the Jags.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
