The New York Jets have an interesting situation in their quarterbacks room, but not at the top of the depth chart, where Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor are locked in as the No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Obviously, we're interested to see how Fields fares in 2025, however his spot is set atop the depth chart, so there isn't much offseason intrigue there.
Instead, it's what goes on behind Fields and Taylor that is one of the more interesting storylines to watch during the offseason.
Competing for the No. 3 quarterback job, whether that be on the active roster or practice squad, are 2024 sixth-round pick, Jordan Travis, undrafted free-agent signing, Brady Cook, and former UFL MVP, Adrian Martinez
Martinez has been around the NFL the longest, which gives him a slight edge. But, while he did have a ton of success in the UFL, he has never taken a snap in the pros.
Meanwhile, Travis spent his entire 2024 season recovering from a brutal leg injury he suffered during his final year in college but is expected to be ready for 2025 and remains a total wild card.
Last but not least, there's Cook, who probably has the biggest hill to climb of the trio given his status as a UDFA. However, similar to Travis, Cook has the skill set teams are looking for in this day and age at quarterback, so there's promise there.
All three quarterbacks offer a younger option for the Jets, which makes them candidates to stick around in some form or fashion. However, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic doesn't think any of the three will stick on the initial 53-man roster.
In his first 53-man roster projection in the wake of the draft, Rosenblatt has the Jets keeping just two quarterbacks in Fields and Taylor, sending the rest to the scrap heap.
The Jets have been cagey when asked about Travis, the 2024 fifth-round pick who missed his entire rookie year while recovering from a leg injury suffered in his final game at Florida State. Travis didn’t practice with the team or participate in any on-field activities outside of rehabbing off to the side with trainers occasionally. The Jets refusal to even comment on his health status isn’t a great sign — the previous staff said Travis suffered a setback last year, and his agent claimed to ESPN that was because the team tried rushing him back. In any event, even if he is cleared there’s no guarantee Travis will be the same player he was pre-injury — his roster spot is far from guaranteed. Cook is intriguing competition for the third quarterback too; he was one of the better athletes at the position in this class, running a 4.59-second 40-yard dash with a 37-inch vertical and 10 foot, 8-inch broad jump at the combine.
Of course, once the trio passes through waivers after final cuts, the Jets will be able to bring them back on the practice squad. We'd imagine one of those three will be kept so New York has a young player to develop behind Fields and Taylor.
Granted, it's not like Fields is old, but he remains unproven when it comes to being a viable long-term starter and is only under contract through 2026, so the Jets need to keep exploring their options.
Keeping one of Travis, Martinez or Cook would be one way to do that.
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