Jets Rookie QB Brady Cook Set for First NFL Start Against Opportunistic Jaguars Defense
The New York Jets are heading into Week 15 with a new face under center and a tall task ahead. Undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook, fresh off his first NFL action last week against Miami, is set to make his first career start this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. And while the Jets are doing everything they can to prepare him, the circumstances are far from ideal.
Cook, the former Missouri standout, showed flashes in limited action, but the learning curve steepens dramatically this week. The Jaguars aren’t just playoff contenders-they’d be AFC South champions if the season ended today. And while their offense under first-year head coach Liam Coen has drawn plenty of attention, it’s the defense that’s been driving their success.
Jaguars Defense Ready to Feast
Jacksonville’s defense has been one of the most opportunistic in the league this season, and they’re heading into this matchup with a clear advantage. With 15 interceptions on the year-second-most in the NFL-they’ve built a reputation for baiting quarterbacks into mistakes through disguised coverages and timely blitzes.
That’s a nightmare scenario for any young quarterback, let alone one making his first NFL start on the road.
This is a defense that thrives on confusion. They love to show one look pre-snap and flip the script post-snap, forcing quarterbacks to process quickly and accurately. For a Jets offense that’s struggled to move the ball through the air all season, the challenge is real.
Jets Leaning on Scheme to Support Cook
Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand isn’t sugarcoating the situation, but he’s not backing down from it either. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s practice, Engstrand made it clear the Jets are crafting a plan tailored to Cook’s strengths-and to counter Jacksonville’s defensive pressure.
“It can go one of two ways,” Engstrand said when discussing how the Jaguars might approach the rookie. “Some defensive coordinators say, ‘Hey, we’re going to heat the young kid up and see what he’s made of.’”
That’s exactly what Jacksonville might do. But Engstrand and his staff are preparing for both the blitz-heavy approach and the more conservative, coverage-based looks the Jaguars have shown on film. Either way, the Jets know they’ll need to be sharp.
With veteran quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields sidelined due to injury, Cook has been thrust into a role he wasn’t expected to take on this season. But Engstrand has shown a knack for scheming receivers open, even as the Jets’ quarterbacks have consistently struggled with execution.
That ability to design plays that simplify the game for the quarterback could be the key on Sunday.
What the Game Plan Might Look Like
Don’t be surprised if the Jets lean heavily on bootlegs, rollouts, and play-action to get Cook comfortable early. Moving the pocket can help neutralize Jacksonville’s pass rush and give Cook clearer throwing lanes while cutting the field in half-simplifying his reads and decision-making.
Expect a healthy dose of quick throws, screens, and maybe even some RPOs to keep the defense honest. The Jets aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel here-they’re trying to give their rookie a fighting chance.
Whether that’s enough to pull off an upset against a playoff-caliber Jaguars team remains to be seen. But what’s clear is the Jets are walking into this game with a plan-and a rookie quarterback eager to prove he belongs.
Sunday’s matchup isn’t just about wins and losses for New York. It’s a test of resilience, coaching creativity, and the development of a young quarterback thrown into the fire. The odds may not be in their favor, but the Jets are embracing the challenge.