ESPN insider makes bold Brady Cook prediction that Jets fans will love

The New York Jets may have signed Brady Cook as a measly undrafted free agent, but that hasn’t stopped some from making major predictions about his future in green and white.

Cook, a former Missouri standout and three-year starter in the SEC, arrives in New York with more experience than most Day 3 quarterbacks.

He's already familiar with first-round pick Armand Membou — his former college teammate — and joins a Jets QB room that recently lost developmental option Jordan Travis to retirement.

The expectation is that Cook will compete for the QB3 job behind Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, but he might not be just another camp arm. In fact, at least one ESPN draft analyst believes Cook has what it takes to not only stick with the team but quickly become one of the most beloved players in the building.

Brady Cook could become one of the most popular NY Jets players

ESPN's Matt Miller told Jets insider Rich Cimini on a recent episode of the Flight Deck podcast and insisted that Cook could become "one of the most popular players on the team" because he's someone who "everyone loves."

"[Cook] will probably be one of the most popular players on the team within the first couple of months. He is the dude that everyone loves."

Matt Miller

Cook arrives in New York with plenty of experience and is arguably the most high-profile undrafted quarterback in this year's class. The former Missouri standout started nearly 40 games during his college career, leading the Tigers to a 26–12 record over three years as a starter.

He saved his best for last, earning MVP honors in the 2024 Music City Bowl after totaling over 340 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in a win over Iowa. Cook finished his 2023 season with 2,535 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and just two interceptions while completing over 62 percent of his passes.

Though Cook went undrafted, his resume suggests he’s much more than your average rookie camp arm. He has good size (6-foot-2, 214 pounds), underrated athleticism, and enough arm talent to make it in the NFL.

He now joins a Jets quarterback room led by high-upside flier Justin Fields and veteran backup Tyrod Taylor. Fields is expected to enter the year as the starter, but the Jets have made it clear they’re still evaluating his long-term future.

Behind them, Cook could push for the QB3 job, especially following the aforementioned surprise retirement of 2024 fifth-round pick Jordan Travis. The Jets aren’t in a rush to find their quarterback of the future, but that doesn’t mean they’re ignoring developmental options.

Cook is the kind of low-risk, high-character addition who could quietly carve out a role with the right summer showing. If Miller is right, it might not take long for Jets fans — and teammates — to take notice.

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