Brady Cook: Everything you need to know

Cook is set to compete with rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik for the second spot on the Jets' quarterback depth chart behind Geno Smith, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. Cook got to audition as the Jets' starting quarterback down the stretch in 2025, but the undrafted rookie out of Missouri struggled to a 2:7 TD:INT across five appearances (four starts). The Jets traded for Smith and have already proclaimed the veteran to be their starting quarterback. They also drafted Klubnik out of Clemson, who has thrown the ball well in drills and impressed with his leadership skills. The team could still opt to bring in a veteran backup QB, but as things stand, Cook should get a chance during training camp and the preseason to compete for the top backup role against Klubnik and Bailey Zappe.

Cook completed 11 of 22 passes for 60 yards and one touchdown while rushing three times for seven yards in Sunday's 35-8 loss to the Bills. He also threw a two-point conversion. The Jets couldn't get anything going in the regular-season finale, even against a Bills team that played its key starters sparingly, if at all. Cook avoided the embarrassment of being shut out to end the season by throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Beck with 7:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the undrafted rookie quarterback added a two-point conversion to Quentin Skinner. The Jets are expected to select a quarterback with the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but even if they don't, Cook has shown he may not be the answer under center with just 739 passing yards and a 2:7 TD:INT across five regular-season appearances (four starts).

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Wednesday that Cook will start Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports. Cook will close out the 2025 campaign with a fourth consecutive start for New York, though he also played 90 percent of offensive snaps versus Miami in Week 14. The undrafted rookie has failed to lead the team to a single win in that span and has compiled just a 1:7 TD:INT, but Glenn said Cook will remain the starter for Week 18 even with veteran Tyrod Taylor (knee/personal) back in the building. With Justin Fields (knee) on IR, Taylor will act as Cook's backup as long as he's cleared to suit up versus Buffalo.