The New York Jets are handing the reins to rookie quarterback Brady Cook once again as they prepare for their Week 16 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that Cook will get the start, marking his second career appearance under center for a team that’s clearly in evaluation mode down the stretch of a tough season.
At 3-11, the Jets are out of playoff contention, but that doesn’t mean these final games are meaningless. For Cook, they’re everything. This is a golden opportunity to show what he can do with live reps against NFL defenses, and Glenn made it clear that continued evaluation is the priority.
“I want to continue to evaluate (Cook) and see exactly how he’s going to operate on a consistent basis,” Glenn said this week.
That consistency is key. Cook flashed some potential in his debut last week against Jacksonville, but like most rookies, he also showed areas that need refinement. The Jets are hoping to get a clearer picture of who he is and what he might become with another look on Sunday.
Backing up Cook will be either Justin Fields, who’s dealing with a knee injury, or Tyrod Taylor, nursing a groin issue. Glenn indicated the decision will come down to health, but for now, all eyes are on the rookie.
Cook, for his part, is embracing the moment. He knows what’s at stake-not just for the team, but for his own future in the league. These are the kinds of games that help shape a young quarterback’s career, even if they don’t come with playoff implications.
The Saints, sitting at 4-10, are in a similar spot-playing out the string and trying to find positives in a lost season. That sets the stage for a matchup that may not move the needle in the standings, but still carries plenty of intrigue for fans who love watching young talent try to carve out a place in the league.
For Cook, it’s another chance to prove he belongs. And for the Jets, it’s another step in the long process of figuring out what the future looks like at the game’s most important position.