Jets' Brady Cook could be starting QB Sunday by default
Brady Cook of the New York Jets throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets’ quarterback situation heading into Week 15 is murky, unique — and not ideal. That’s almost expected from this franchise, though.
Tyrod Taylor left Sunday’s loss to Miami with a groin injury. Justin Fields suffered from knee soreness in practice last week and wasn’t able to play. Rookie Brady Cook is the healthiest of the group, and he never took an NFL snap before Sunday.
“Even as an assistant coach,” coach Aaron Glenn said during a Monday Zoom call, “I haven’t seen a situation like this.”
This begs the question: Who will start for the Jets in Jacksonville this Sunday?
“We got to see what guys are healthy enough to go out there and give us a chance to win,” Glenn said. “I'm going to play the guy that I think gives us the best chance to win.”
The Jets (3-10) were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 15th consecutive season on Sunday when they also clinched their sixth straight season of at least 10 losses. You could make a strong case for Cook being the Jets starter on Sunday.
It will be a good opportunity to evaluate the Missouri product and see if he has a chance to stick around next year when the quarterback room will look very different.
The fact that Glenn isn’t naming Cook would indicate that he wants to see where things stand with the two veterans, Taylor and Fields. Glenn plans to talk to the doctors and players and have everything resolved by Wednesday; that way the starter can lead the first-team offense in practice.
“The guy who is going to give us the best chance to win,” Glenn said, “that guy will have the most reps.”
Taylor gives the Jets the best chance to win. He’s shown the ability to push the ball down the field better than Fields did in his nine starts. Groin injuries are tricky, though. Odds are against Taylor, 36, returning that quickly.
If Taylor is unable to play and Fields is, Glenn probably should start Fields. This may not be what Jets fans want to hear, but if it’s truly about the quarterback who gives the Jets the best chance to win you have to take Fields over the inexperienced Cook.
People outside the Jets facility will question why they’re trying to win games when it could hurt their draft position and ability to take a quarterback. With five first-round picks the next two years, the Jets have the draft capital to move up for Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza if he’s their guy.
The Jets will need a veteran on the roster anyway. Fields is under contract next year for $10 million. If he gets another chance this season, he might perform differently after seeing how the offense looked with the more aggressive Taylor leading it. The Jets should be interested in seeing if there is something salvageable with Fields.
“I'm interested in a quarterback that gives us the best chance to win,” Glenn said. “These guys are all professionals, and any time they have a chance to go out and perform with their teammates, that's the only thing they think about. And that's the only thing I think about: What decisions do I have to make to give this team the best chance to win?”
If Taylor and Fields are both out, it will be Cook’s job by default, and the Jets will need to add a quarterback.
Cook was put in a really tough situation in his first NFL action. After not taking practice reps with the starters, he came in with the Jets down 21-0 in the first quarter. Cook was forced to throw because of the score and the fact that the Jets’ run game was stalled.
He completed 14 of 30 passes for 163 yards and two end-zone interceptions. Cook’s receivers dropped some passes, too, in what was a dismal showing by the offense. Glenn and Cook’s teammates praised him for his command of the offense and huddle.
“However the reps shake out this week, I'm going to be ready to play,” Cook said. “Whether the starter, whether the backup, whether the third string, it doesn't matter. I'm going to be ready to play, ready to win the Jets a football game.”
A strong case can be made for Cook. The Jets don’t have much to lose no matter what Glenn decides.
Two-minute drill
Glenn had no update on whether Garrett Wilson (knee) would return to practice this week from injured reserve.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
