If you’ve spent any time at all following the New York Jets, you know that "stability at quarterback" is a phrase that basically doesn't exist in the local vocabulary. It’s always something. A high-profile trade, a sudden injury, or a rookie who was supposed to be the savior but ends up seeing ghosts. Right now, the question of who is qb for ny jets isn’t just about one name; it’s about a depth chart that has been through a literal meat grinder over the last few months.
Honestly, the 2025 season was supposed to be different. It wasn't.
The Guy in the Top Spot (For Now)
As we hit the early weeks of 2026, the dust is still settling on a chaotic season. If you’re looking for the name at the very top of the list, it's Brady Cook.
Yeah, the undrafted kid from Missouri.
He wasn't supposed to be the guy. Not even close. But after a string of injuries and benchings that would make a soap opera writer blush, Cook ended up starting the final stretch of the 2025 season, including the finale against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Aaron Glenn basically said Cook gave them the "best chance to win" after the team moved on from the high-drama experiments earlier in the year.
Cook is a 6'2", 215-pounder who played 46 games at Missouri. He’s tough. He’s smart. But let’s be real: he’s an undrafted free agent who threw five interceptions in his first three starts. He’s the starter by default because the Jets' "Plan A" and "Plan B" both went sideways.
What Happened to Justin Fields?
You probably remember the headlines from last year when the Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal. The hope was that the change of scenery from Pittsburgh would finally unlock that dual-threat magic everyone saw at Ohio State.
📖 Related: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
It started okay. He started nine games. He ran for some big yards. But then the wheels came off.
Fields ended up on the Injured Reserve (IR) with a knee injury late in the 2025 season. Before that, though, he was already getting benched for performance. There’s a lot of chatter right now among insiders like Rich Cimini that Fields might be a "cut candidate" heading into this offseason. He has a $10 million guarantee for 2026, which makes things messy for the front office.
- The Good: 1,000-yard rushing potential and elite athleticism.
- The Bad: Only 54 passing yards in a full game against the Browns.
- The Reality: He’s currently on the roster, but his future in Florham Park is as shaky as it gets.
The Veteran Presence: Tyrod Taylor
Then there’s Tyrod Taylor. The ultimate "break glass in case of emergency" quarterback. Tyrod did exactly what Tyrod does—he came in, played efficient football, got hurt (groin/knee issues), and then stepped back into a backup role.
He’s 36 now. He’s a free agent heading into this 2026 cycle. While he’s still technically associated with the team as the season wraps, don't expect him to be the long-term answer. He’s the bridge that somehow always ends up being the most reliable person in the room, even if the ceiling isn't very high.
The Aaron Rodgers Ghost
It’s wild to think about how fast things move in the NFL. Just a year ago, the entire Jets identity was wrapped up in Aaron Rodgers.
He’s gone.
👉 See also: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
Rodgers spent the 2025 season in Pittsburgh with the Steelers, and as of mid-January 2026, reports from Ian Rapoport suggest he won’t be returning there either. There was a tiny segment of the Jets fanbase hoping for a reunion, but that ship hasn't just sailed; it’s sunk. Rodgers is 42, talking about retirement, and consulting with his wife, Brittani, about whether he even wants to play another snap.
The Jets have moved on. Or at least, they’ve tried to.
The 2026 Depth Chart at a Glance
If you look at the board right now, here is how the room breaks down:
- Brady Cook: The incumbent "starter" who finished the season under center.
- Justin Fields: The high-priced project currently recovering from a knee injury.
- Hendon Hooker: The former Tennessee standout who is also on the roster but hasn't seen much daylight.
- Tyrod Taylor: The veteran backup (likely headed to free agency).
Why the QB Search Never Ends in New York
The problem for the Jets is that they keep trying to catch lightning in a bottle. They took a swing on Fields because he was cheap-ish and talented. They kept Tyrod as a safety net. They stumbled into Brady Cook because they had no other choice.
None of these guys have solidified themselves as "The One."
The fans are restless. The 3-14 finish in 2025 didn't help. Now, with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching in Pittsburgh this April, the Jets find themselves in a familiar position: looking at the top of the draft board and wondering if they should take another swing at a franchise QB.
✨ Don't miss: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think the Jets' struggle is just bad luck. It’s more than that. It’s a revolving door of offensive coordinators and philosophies. Since Robert Saleh was let go and Aaron Glenn took over, the identity of the team has shifted toward a more aggressive, defensive-minded culture. But you can't win in today’s AFC East without a guy who can throw for 300 yards when it matters.
Brady Cook is a great story. He’s a hard worker. He’s the first Missouri QB to start four bowl games. But is he the guy to out-duel Josh Allen? Probably not.
What Should You Watch For Next?
If you’re trying to keep track of who is qb for ny jets, the next few weeks are critical. Free agency starts on March 11. That’s the first real indicator of what the Jets think of Brady Cook and the injured Justin Fields.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Injury Reports: Keep an eye on Justin Fields' knee rehab. If the Jets don't cut him by the start of the league year, they might be stuck with that $10 million bill.
- Monitor the Draft Big Board: Names like Ty Simpson are already being linked to teams in the first round of the 2026 draft. If the Jets are picking high, they’re almost certainly taking a quarterback.
- Check the Practice Squad: Hendon Hooker is the "forgotten man" in this room. If he gets a sudden boost in reps during OTAs, it means the team is ready to move on from the Cook/Fields era entirely.
Basically, if you’re looking for a jersey to buy, maybe wait a few months. The name on the back of the Jets' QB jersey is written in pencil right now, and the eraser is coming out this March.
The Jets quarterback room is a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Brady Cook has the job today, but in the NFL, today is a very short time.