Brady Cook never expected to be here. Neither did the New York Jets.

Yet the undrafted rookie quarterback is set to make his third straight start Sunday against the New England Patriots in the Jets' home finale—a position born from equal parts necessity and opportunity. With Justin Fields sidelined by a knee injury and veteran Tyrod Taylor recovering from a groin injury, Cook has become an NFL starter almost by accident. Coach Aaron Glenn is using the lost season to evaluate him further.

"I haven't taken a moment," the 24-year-old Cook said. "I think I probably will in a few weeks, but right now I'm in it. I'm 10 toes in and I'm going to ride this out for two weeks and just do everything I possibly can."

From Undrafted to Starting Quarterback

Cook signed with the Jets after the 2024 draft, following a standout college career at Missouri where he threw for 9,008 yards and 49 touchdowns with 15 interceptions over five seasons. He also ran for 20 scores.

But NFL teams showed little interest. Cook had just one pre-draft facility visit—with the Jets—and went undrafted despite his impressive resume. Questions about his arm strength and footwork held him back. He joined the Jets as a developmental prospect.

Seven months later, he's getting valuable snaps in a season the Jets (3-12) abandoned long ago.

"It does feel surreal at times," Cook said. "Obviously, four to five months ago, I definitely didn't expect this. But now that I'm in it, I'm just in it, and it's day to day and it's all of your energy, it's all of your focus."

The Path to the Starting Job

Cut after training camp in August, Cook was signed to the practice squad the next day. Fields struggled as the starter and was benched before being placed on injured reserve Tuesday after injuring his knee in practice.

Taylor, the 36-year-old veteran, took over but injured his groin. With no other options, Cook was promoted to the active roster and thrust into the spotlight against Miami, becoming the first undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Jets since Bill Demory in 1973.

Taylor is healthy again, but Glenn wants to continue evaluating Cook with the season already lost.

Mixed Early Results

Cook's crash course in the NFL hasn't produced encouraging statistics. In three games, he's completed 59.8% of his passes (58 of 98) for 527 yards, one touchdown, and six interceptions. He's been sacked 17 times.

In last Sunday's 29-6 loss to New Orleans, Cook went 22 of 35 for 188 yards with no touchdowns, one interception, and eight sacks.

"I think there's opportunities to get the ball out quicker," Cook acknowledged. "Whether it's a pre-snap change or a post-snap decision, I always think there is an opportunity to get the ball out."

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is working to simplify the offense for Cook to operate at a high level without overthinking at the snap.

"He's just continuing to understand what we're trying to accomplish on every play, which I think he's actually done a pretty darn good job of," Engstrand said.

Leadership Impresses

Beyond the stats, Cook is winning over coaches and teammates with his poise and leadership presence.

"When you're a leader and you're confident, people around you could buy in and let everything else take care of itself. It's a tough task, most definitely, as an undrafted guy. I think a lot of times, it's just who people are. That's who he is. He embodies that." — Wide receiver Isaiah Williams

Uncertain Future

Cook will likely finish the season as the starter, including next week's finale at Buffalo. Beyond that, his professional future remains murky. Glenn declined to say whether Cook could be a long-term starter option.

The reality: the Jets will pursue potential starters in free agency or the draft during the offseason, likely sending Cook back to the sideline. But he would return as an experienced backup with real NFL experience—an unexpected turn in his whirlwind journey from undrafted prospect to starting quarterback.

"He knows this is a great opportunity for him," Engstrand said. "I don't think he's necessarily putting more pressure on himself than he needs. I think he's just looking to put himself in a position to seize the moment."