Fans of the Jets finally had a chance to see if Brady Cook could step up on Sunday.
Tyrod Taylor, the starting quarterback, had to exit the game against the Dolphins due to a groin injury just six plays in.
This opened the door for Brady Cook, an undrafted rookie from Missouri, to make his debut. While many might not have expected much, Cook showed glimpses of potential in his first-ever start, despite not securing a first-team position earlier this season.
In the end, though, it was a rough outing for the Jets, losing 30-10. Cook went 14-for-30, notching 163 yards alongside two interceptions and getting sacked six times.
“It was definitely a challenge, but a great challenge,” Cook said. “That’s part of being a backup quarterback. I felt ready, but, of course, I didn’t do enough to win the game.”
This was actually Cook’s third appearance this season. He had been a backup in previous games against the Buccaneers and Bengals, though he didn’t see any action then. His promotion to backup happened just this week after Justin Fields was sidelined with a knee issue.
Cook, who had been practicing with the team all season, showed signs of nerves at first. His early passes were on the heavier side, making them a bit tricky to catch. Unfortunately, his receivers didn’t assist much either, with several dropped passes.
As the game progressed, Cook seemed to settle in. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand adjusted the play-calling to include shorter throws to help him get comfortable.
“I definitely calmed down. I just took a deep breath and focused on getting back out there,” Cook noted. “In the fourth quarter, when we were moving the ball, we saw some flashes. We need more of that.”
With Taylor and Fields nursing injuries, the severity of which isn’t clear yet, Cook might find himself starting again next week against the Jaguars.
Despite the loss, Cook earned respect from his teammates for maintaining his composure under pressure. Running back Breece Hall expressed confidence in him, saying, “He approaches practice like a pro. When I saw how he commanded the huddle, I felt reassured. He could’ve done better for sure. Maybe he thinks he should have. But as a team, we could’ve made a few more plays for both him and Tyrod.”
