Jets need to avoid this quarterback move despite some buzz from fans

The New York Jets have made the quarterback move that fans have been begging for, as they finally brought an end to the Justin Fields experiment and will start Tyrod Taylor under center during their Week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Even though Taylor is in as the starter, some fans want the Jets to lean even more into an explicit tank by starting undrafted free agent QB3 Brady Cook. After all, if the Jets want as high a pick in the 2025 NFL Draft as possible, why not see if Cook can flash?

The problem with moving to Cook is that it would signal that Aaron Glenn is not putting a viable product on the field, and that might not endear him to a team that will largely be kept in place during the offseason.

Jets need to avoid starting Brady Cook after Justin Fields benching

Cook was never considered anything more than someone who could be a late Day 3 flier as a prospect. If anything, his style of play is similar to Fields. The turnovers are low, and he can make plays with his legs, but the arm talent simply isn't there.

Jets fans who watched some of Armand Membou's college tape would be quick to note that his passing game often seemed very conservative and limited, and that is because Cook was at the sticks despite having two receivers (Luther Burden III, Theo Wease) on NFL rosters at the moment.

Part of why Taylor is starting is his superior passing ability. With Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie, and Arian Smith all in need of the targets Fields couldn't provide, Taylor should be able to give these guys the targets they need to provide Darren Mougey a more complete evaluation.

Cook may have looked OK in the preseason, but so did Zach Wilson. That tells this coaching staff nothing. Trying to be competitive at the end of this lost season isn't about trying to win meaningless games for "the culture," but rather to put a viable product on the field and keep getting buy-in from players. Cook would be waving a white flag.

Jets fans are so desperate for anyone to emerge as the quarterback of the future that they are willing to cycle any signal caller with a pulse into the starting lineup in the name of experimentation. Taylor gives the team the best chance to win, which is all you want out of QB1.