Undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook will make his first NFL start for the New York Jets against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.
With the New York Jets down to their third option at quarterback, undrafted rookie Brady Cook is set to make the first start of his NFL career on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a result of injuries to both Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee).
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed Friday that Cook will be under center in Jacksonville after Cook took first-team reps all week in preparation for the Week 15 matchup.
Jets HC Aaron Glenn announced that QB Brady Cook will start Sunday vs. the Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/wpPIf2J9qN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2025
Cook, 24, originally signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft out of Missouri, where he was a three-year starter. He was waived during final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad and was only recently elevated to the active roster.
Last week, he made his NFL debut in relief during a 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, completing 14 of 30 passes for 163 yards with two interceptions after Taylor exited early.
This will be the first NFL start for Cook, but also a rare moment in Jets history: he’ll be the first undrafted rookie quarterback the franchise has started since 1975, when J.J. Jones took the field.
Historic and difficult circumstances
The Jets (3-10) enter the game as clear underdogs against the 9-4 Jaguars. Jacksonville is favored by more than two touchdowns, and this game marks a stark contrast in trajectories between a rebuilding New York squad and a Jaguars team fighting for playoff positioning.
Cook’s promotion highlights the tumultuous state of the Jets’ quarterback room this season.
Brady Cook on Sunday pic.twitter.com/9hH5fMqO6N
— Dylan (@nyjetsfansonly) December 12, 2025
With Fields sidelined again and Taylor unavailable, the club has been forced to dig deep into its depth chart.
Cook’s debut was challenging; the Jets’ offense struggled under pressure against Miami, and he now faces one of the league’s more balanced defenses in Jacksonville.
Backup duties will fall to Adrian Martinez, a familiar face from the preseason who was recently signed to the practice squad after stints elsewhere, giving the Jets two quarterbacks with limited regular-season experience.
What Cook’s start symbolizes for the Jets
Brady Cook’s first start is a microcosm of New York’s roller-coaster season. The Jets have cycled through multiple starting quarterbacks, with inconsistency at the position fueling a team already eliminated from playoff contention, marking a 15th consecutive season without postseason play.
But this moment also represents the unpredictable opportunities in the NFL: injuries, roster moves, and adversity can thrust a player into the spotlight on a weekend after barely seeing the field.
Aaron Glenn on Brady Cook: #Jets
“Now this week he’s had a chance to get all the reps with the 1’s, get a a chance to communicate with the OL, with the receivers, with the TEs, with the coaching staff on exactly how we want to go about playing this game. I have all the… pic.twitter.com/djSqZlOOKr
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) December 12, 2025
Cook’s rise from undrafted free agent to Week 15 starter is unusual, and even if the result is not favorable this week, it gives both the team and evaluators real game experience to assess him and Martinez.
From a developmental perspective, starting Cook provides the organization with a baseline for how he handles adversity against a Jaguars defense anchored by Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, while also giving the Jets a chance to evaluate young talent ahead of offseason roster decisions.
Final stretch and broader implications
For New York, Week 15 isn’t just about a single game; it’s about how the team rebuilds its identity around young players and manages expectations moving forward. Cook’s start may be born of necessity, but it could also inform decisions in the draft, free agency, or the quarterback room this offseason.
Expectations should be tempered: the Jaguars are heavy favorites, and a rookie in his first start is unlikely to reverse the Jets’ fortunes suddenly.
But this is a genuine chance for Brady Cook, an undrafted rookie, to showcase his skills and stake an early claim in the team’s plans for 2026 and beyond.
Whether the result is a breakout or a lesson learned, his first NFL start will be a significant moment in a season of quarterback uncertainty for the Jets.
