Jets’ QB Carousel Spins Again as Injuries Mount Ahead of Jaguars Matchup
It’s December in the NFL, and for the New York Jets, that means one thing: quarterback uncertainty. Again.
As Gang Green prepares to head south for a matchup against the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars, the biggest question isn’t about game planning or playoff hopes - it’s about who’s going to be under center. With both Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor nursing injuries, the Jets are staring down the very real possibility that rookie Brady Cook could be in line for his second NFL start.
Cook, who made his debut last week, showed flashes of potential despite a rough overall team performance. If Fields and Taylor aren’t cleared in time, Cook likely gets the nod again - and if that’s the case, the Jets will need to find someone to back him up. That could mean bringing in a new quarterback midweek, which is never ideal, but at this point, it’s just another chapter in a season defined by instability at the game’s most important position.
Let’s break it down.
Quarterback Uncertainty Continues
Head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t tip his hand when asked about the quarterback situation, saying, “We’ll see how everything progresses.” That’s been the theme all season - wait, see, adjust.
Fields and Taylor are both dealing with injuries that have kept them limited, and their status for Sunday remains murky. If neither can go, the Jets will be forced to roll with Cook, and that means they’ll need to make a move to shore up the depth chart behind him.
Cook, an undrafted rookie, was thrown into the fire last week and held his own, all things considered. It wasn’t a perfect debut, but he showed poise in a tough spot and gave the Jets a glimpse of what he might offer long-term. Whether that’s enough to earn another start remains to be seen - but if the injury bug continues to bite, the decision may be made for them.
Glenn on the Jets’ Recent Struggles
Glenn didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s latest loss, calling it a “roadblock” - one of many this season. The 34-10 defeat to the Dolphins was another tough watch, but buried beneath the scoreline were a few bright spots. Special teams continued to perform at a high level, and Cook’s composure under pressure was a small but important positive.
Still, the loss extended the Jets’ playoff drought and left players and coaches alike searching for answers. The defense, which has been the team’s backbone for much of the year, was gashed for 239 rushing yards by Miami. Glenn called the performance “BS,” a blunt assessment of a unit that looked uncharacteristically out of sync.
Rookies Making Noise Amid the Noise
While the season has been filled with frustration, not everything has been bleak. Several Jets rookies have quietly carved out meaningful roles, including one who, according to coaches, “demanded the attention” despite the team’s struggles. These are the kinds of developments that matter in a season where the playoffs are slipping out of reach - young players showing they belong, even when the scoreboard says otherwise.
Brady Cook is now firmly in that conversation. His first NFL action came under less-than-ideal circumstances, but the coaching staff gave him what they called a “great challenge,” and he responded with grit. He may not be the long-term answer, but he’s earned a longer look.
Injuries, Uncertainty, and a Familiar Feeling
Injuries continue to dominate the Jets’ weekly storylines. Garrett Wilson’s status is still unclear after taking a hit last week, and Glenn described the update as “not good but not bad” - which, in Jets-speak, usually means “we’ll find out on Friday.”
The quarterback room isn’t the only one in flux. The team’s injury report is growing, and with four games left, the Jets are back in a familiar spot: evaluating talent, playing for pride, and looking ahead to the offseason.
Silver Linings and Stock Watch
Despite the loss, there were a few players whose stock continues to rise. One of the team’s most unexpected standouts is quietly putting together an All-Pro caliber season - a rare bright spot in an otherwise rocky campaign. Special teams also deserve a nod, continuing a hot streak that’s been one of the few constants over the past month.
Of course, not everyone is trending upward. The Dolphins game exposed some serious issues, particularly on defense, and the locker room reaction reflected that. Players were candid in expressing their frustration, with one summing it up in a single, unfiltered word: “S-----.”
Looking Ahead
The Jets now enter the final four games of the season with little more than pride - and future evaluations - on the line. The loss to Miami didn’t just sting; it also helped improve the team’s 2026 draft positioning, a small consolation for a fanbase that’s grown all too familiar with looking ahead.
But there’s still football to be played, and for players like Cook and other rookies trying to prove they belong, these games matter. For the coaching staff, it’s about finding answers, building momentum, and avoiding another offseason defined by quarterback questions.
The carousel keeps spinning. Whether it’s Fields, Taylor, or Cook under center in Jacksonville, the Jets are once again facing the unknown - and hoping, somehow, to find a little stability in the chaos.