The Jets can have a unique backup quarterback this week towards the Dolphins.
Justin Fields was dominated out attributable to knee soreness.
Apply squad quarterback Brady Cook dinner can be elevated for the third time this season and can be Tyrod Taylor‘s backup quarterback vs. Miami at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With a 3-9 document, Cook dinner being the Jets backup quarterback this week is essential for a few causes.
NFL groups can elevate as much as two observe squad gamers for every recreation with out including them to the lively 53-man roster. This would be the third time Cook dinner has been elevated, which is the utmost per season.
A fourth elevation would require the Jets to signal him to their 53-man roster. On condition that the Jets are near being eradicated from playoff competition, Cook dinner might see taking part in time earlier than the top of this season.
The Jets signed Cook dinner, 24, as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri shortly following final April’s NFL Draft. They didn’t draft a quarterback, so Cook dinner has been serving as their developmental quarterback.
“He’s a really fiery man,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn mentioned about Cook dinner. “The one factor we do fairly a bit in observe is we’ve got quite a few competitors intervals and also you precisely see how he goes about his enterprise when his time comes as much as be in that scenario to compete. He appears to be like ahead to it, he all the time asks when these alternatives are going to return for him to do it, and we make certain we give him his reps.
“He’s a really aggressive man. He’s going to be a quarterback on this league. I can’t let you know when, however he can be a quarterback on this league.”
Cook dinner, being the Jets backup towards Miami, might probably spell the top of Fields’ time with the Jets. Glenn advised reporters that they might see how Fields’ knee “progresses” to find out his standing for subsequent week’s recreation at Jacksonville.
After signing a two-year, $40 million contract in March, Fields was speculated to be the subsequent quarterback in line to revitalize his profession with a unique group, just like the paths of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield. However he has had a catastrophic season, highlighted by poor play, which led to Fields being criticized by Jets proprietor Woody Johnson on the NFL Fall Conferences in October.
In 9 video games, Fields has thrown for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. However he’s twenty ninth out of 31 certified quarterbacks in QBR (38.7).
Fields has not performed because the Jets’ Nov. 13 recreation towards the Patriots after he was benched for Taylor. The Jets’ passing assault was the worst within the league with Fields underneath middle as a result of he held the ball too lengthy within the pocket. When he did move the ball, Fields would typically take checkdowns to keep away from risking interceptions down the sector.
Fields is about to make $20 million in 2026, together with $10 million assured. He’s underneath contract via 2026, however it’s onerous to see any state of affairs during which the Jets would convey Fields again.
The Jets at the moment maintain the seventh place within the 2026 NFL Draft. However after dealing each Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams on the commerce deadline final month, they need to have loads of draft capital to commerce up for any quarterback of their selecting.
Which is why the Jets, as soon as they’re formally eradicated from playoff competition, might resolve to play Cook dinner throughout the ultimate month of the season. Not that he would remedy the Jets’ quarterback woes, however it’s potential Cook dinner might flip right into a viable backup QB.
“Clearly, from a private stage, you’re all the time on the lookout for that subsequent alternative,” Cook dinner mentioned. “That is mine to again up Tyrod this week. It’s a pleasure, I’m excited.”
At 6-2, 215 kilos, Cook dinner is exceptionally athletic, as proven by his 4.59 40-yard sprint on the NFL Mix. He may make throws to all three ranges of the soccer subject along with his above-average arm.
In 5 seasons at Missouri, Cook dinner handed for 9,251 yards, 50 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Accidents and a scarcity of constant accuracy have been a main purpose Cook dinner went undrafted. However he has quite a lot of upside, which is why the Jets signed him to their observe squad.
Given Taylor’s intensive harm historical past, Cook dinner might take snaps this season, whether or not it’s this week towards the Dolphins or within the Jets’ remaining 4 video games in 2025.
“Throughout this rookie yr, I’ve seen huge jumps, which might be regular,” Cook dinner mentioned. “You get right here, it seems like rather a lot, you’re feeling like rather a lot is thrown at you. Because the weeks go by and also you watch how Tyrod, how Justin go about it. How they study the offense, how they deal with every part, it’s changing into rather a lot smoother.”
