Does Brady Cook have a legitimate chance of making the New York Jets' initial 53-man roster? The short answer is yes—but it certainly will be an uphill battle.
Cook's experience in quarterback competitions, along with his tenacious mindset, should serve him well in this situation. Several other factors will also play a role in his chances.
To begin, just weeks after the NFL Draft concluded, the Jets' 2024 fifth-round selection, quarterback Jordan Travis, announced his retirement from the NFL due to lingering health concerns. While unfortunate, this development certainly makes Cook's path far clearer.
Another factor working in Cook's favor is the lack of a solid quarterback room in New York.
After letting Aaron Rodgers go in the offseason, the Jets brought in former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields to take the reins as the starting quarterback in 2025.
While Fields is slated to be the starter, he has struggled to consistently produce in the NFL. Selected No. 11 overall in the 2021 Draft by the Chicago Bears, Fields has had a shaky start to his career, posting a 14-30 record as a starting quarterback.
Backing up Fields will likely be veteran NFL backup Tyrod Taylor. The 35-year-old quarterback has accumulated 14 years of service across the league. Taylor, known for his role as a backup for most of his career, will return for his second season with the Jets.
"As a quarterback, you're an opportunity away, so you want to be well prepared for any opportunity," Taylor told ESPN's Rich Cimini.
With two of the apparent three spots already occupied, the competition begins—though it’s for a roster spot that might not even be available.
Whether or not the Jets will roster three quarterbacks is uncertain. However, the third quarterback spot comes down to Cook and a familiar face in Adrian Martinez, a quarterback Cook faced head-to-head at Kansas State in 2022.
After finishing his collegiate career at Kansas State, Martinez signed a UDFA contract with the Detroit Lions but failed to make the roster. He then spent a season with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions, where he had a strong season and earned All-UFL honors.
On July 27, 2024, Martinez signed a contract with the Jets. Despite being waived in August, he re-signed to the practice squad and was elevated several times during the season.
A quarterback competition certainly won’t faze Cook, who knows no other path than earning his playing time.
"He's been in a quarterback competition a lot here at the University of Missouri," MU's coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "So I don't think the pressure performance will matter to him. I think he'll handle it with grace, like he always does."
In 2022, Cook's first year as the starting quarterback at Mizzou, he had to outplay Southern Mississippi transfer Jack Abraham during Fall Camp to earn the job.
After a campaign filled with ups and downs, Cook faced plenty of criticism heading into the 2023 season. He silenced the doubters, winning the quarterback battle over Sam Horn. Cook then led the team to an 11-win season, which included a 14-3 Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State.
Despite facing significant adversity in 2024, battling numerous injuries, Cook's resilience shone through. He helped lead the Tigers to another double-digit win season, including a gritty performance to cap his career in the 27-24 Music City Bowl victory over Iowa.
Despite not having much NFL buzz leading into the season, Cook was given an opportunity to showcase his skills at the 2025 Draft Combine in Indianapolis. He seized the moment, performing exceptionally well and generating real buzz around his name heading into the draft.
Even with his strong performance, it wasn’t enough for an NFL team to select Cook during the draft. However, it didn’t take long for him to secure a UDFA deal after the draft concluded.
The Jets, who didn't select any quarterbacks in the 2025 Draft, made it a priority to sign Cook before another team could swoop in.
"He's going to start his own path and his own career, and I have no doubt he'll be successful in the NFL," Drinkwitz said after Cook's final game with Missouri. "He's going to get a chance. Just like we all found out, never count him out."
While it will undoubtedly be an uphill battle for the Missouri product, there's no reason Cook can't secure a spot on a roster. It will be interesting to see how his journey unfolds and where his next opportunity arises, whether with the Jets or elsewhere.