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Rich CiminiDec 13, 2025, 04:03 AM<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.<\/p>\n FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Due to injuries, the New York Jets<\/a> are reaching to the bottom of their quarterback depth chart, tapping rookie Brady Cook<\/a> to start Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> at EverBank Stadium.<\/p>\n It will be the first NFL start for Cook, a former practice squad player who made his debut last week in a 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins<\/a>. He replaced Tyrod Taylor<\/a>, who lasted only two series because of a groin injury.<\/p>\n Former starter Justin Fields<\/a> also is injured (knee soreness), leaving the Jets no choice but to use Cook and Adrian Martinez<\/a> as their two quarterbacks in Jacksonville. Martinez, on the Jets’ preseason roster, was added to the practice squad Wednesday after a stint with the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cook and Martinez have combined for only 30 career passes — all by Cook, who was 14-for-30 with 163 yards and two interceptions last week.<\/p>\n Everything about this is unusual.<\/p>\n Cook is the first undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Jets since 1975, when J.J. Jones<\/a> spelled Joe Namath for one start. It has been that kind of year for the Jets (3-9), who missed the playoffs for the 15th straight time and suffered their sixth consecutive double-digit loss season.<\/p>\n “I have all the confidence in the world [in Cook],” Glenn said Friday. “That’s something I’ve stated from the beginning. He’ll be a good player in this league, and he’ll have his opportunity again this week.”<\/p>\n Cook, a three-year starter at Missouri, signed with the Jets after the draft. He impressed the coaches with his competitiveness and decision-making, beating out Martinez for a practice squad spot. In fact, Cook and Martinez handled the quarterbacking duties in the final preseason game. Who knew they’d reunite as a regular-season tandem?<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks 1 Related<\/p>\n Unlike last week, Cook was able to get a full slate of first-team practice reps as he prepared. Taylor and Fields were held out of practice all week.<\/p>\n “He’s been studying his butt off for this moment,” Glenn said.<\/p>\n Cook expects to have some butterflies, which is normal for him.<\/p>\n “I think [nerves are] a part of the game,” he said. “I’ve been nervous before any football game I’ve ever played. I’m excited. It’s important. This is everything I’ve ever done. So there’s a level of importance there that’s going to create nerves, but whenever I drag out onto the field and take that first snap, it’s gone, it’s not there. You’re focused, because you have no other choice. You really don’t.”<\/p>\n This has been another roller-coaster season for the Jets at quarterback. They handed Fields a two-year, $40 million contract, anointed him the starter in the offseason and benched him after 10 games. In came the injury-prone Taylor, 36, who lasted only nine quarters before sustaining an injury.<\/p>\nThe Jets are turning to rookie quarterback Brady Cook with Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor injured. Cook, a three-year starter for Missouri, will have Adrian Martinez as his backup.\u00a0Al Bello\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
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