On Monday morning, Aaron Glenn quickly named Brady Cook the Jets starting quarterback for Week 17 against the New England Patriots. This comes despite Tyrod Taylor being healthy, as well as Justin Fields slowly returning to health as well. For Jets fans, this probably looks like a puzzling decision. In his three appearances for the Jets, which include two starts and one in relief, Cook is 58/98 (59%) for 527 yards, 1 touchdown, and 6 interceptions. That’s an average of 175 passing yards per game. This is around the same as Tyrod Taylor’s passing yards per game (179 per game, excluding the Dolphins and Bills games). However, Taylor has 4 touchdowns to 5 interceptions in those games. Taylor being better than Cook isn’t news to anyone, though. The Jets know that, too, when it comes down to it. Cook starting isn’t about talent or skill; it’s about the future.
#Jets HC Aaron Glenn said Brady Cook will be the starter in Week 17 vs. the Patriots, his third straight start.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 22, 2025
Brady Cook Gives the Jets the Best Chance to… Lose
Sitting at 3-12 on the 2025 season, it’s clear the Jets and their staff are looking towards 2026. Their eyes are most likely fixated the hardest on the quarterback position. The Jets have fielded some of the worst play at this position in the league in 2025, trotting out the combination of Fields, Taylor, and Cook. The answer to that problem will most likely come through the 2026 NFL Draft. Therefore, the Jets are seemingly looking to ensure their draft position so they can either select a QB at their pick or trade up to the top pick and secure one that way. According to Tankathon, the Jets currently have the 4th overall pick. They’d need a lot of help to move up, but it starts with losing their own games. That is what Brady Cook offers. Although considering the competition the Jets face to the season, they probably won’t fare well regardless of the quarterback.
As for the aforementioned help the Jets need, that will have to come primarily from the Cleveland Browns. The Browns currently hold the 3rd overall pick, one ahead of the Jets. The strength of schedule (SOS) tiebreaker is too much in the Browns’ favor, so the Jets need the Browns to win one of their remaining two games. Those games are against the Steelers and the Bengals. Perhaps one of those divisional games could be an upset. Another big game happens this weekend, as well as the holders of the two top overall picks face off. If the Raiders defeat the Giants, there’s a chance that the Jets could move up to the 3rd overall pick, depending on their effect on the SOS tiebreaker. Some things to watch as the season comes to a close.
The Other 2026 Jets QB Storyline
The less talked-about part of the potential 2026 quarterback room is the backup spot. As of right now, Justin Fields is under contract next season. However, that may not stay that way, considering his play in 2025. Tyrod Taylor isn’t under contract in 2026, so he may not be an option either. That leaves Brady Cook, who is under contract in 2026. These last few games of the season could be seen as a tryout for the backup job next season. Cook would be a really cheap, young option who knows the system. Aaron Glenn has stressed over the last few weeks how this season has served as an evaluation of the Jets roster. Brady Cook is clearly one of the young talents being evaluated, so these are valuable reps to the Jets brass. Cook will have the opportunity to prove himself in these reps against the Patriots and perhaps even the Bills as well.
Main Photo: [Steven Lew] – Imagn Images
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