New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn showed a lot of confidence in undrafted quarterback Brady Cook ahead of Week 15. In early December, Glenn said he was confident Cook would be a good quarterback in the NFL.
Cook took a big step toward fulfilling that prediction in the first quarter Sunday. As time was running down in the first quarter, Cook threw his first NFL touchdown, finding wideout AD Mitchell near the back of the end zone.
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The broadcast did a tremendous job covering the play. Right after Cook threw his first career score, the camera immediately cut to his family, who celebrated with cheers and hugs in the stands.
Cook’s celebration was understated. He knocked helmets and slapped hands with his teammates. In fact, Cook may have been too chill about the whole thing. Despite throwing his first NFL touchdown pass, Cook ran off the field without securing the football.
Thankfully, Mitchell was looking out for the rookie. After the score, Mitchell made sure to grab the ball and run it all the way back from the end zone to give it to Cook on the sideline.
The rest of the game didn’t go well for Cook. The rookie finished the contest 22-of-33 for 176 yards. He did manage his first career NFL touchdowns, but added three interceptions in the 48-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Cook’s odds of playing in the NFL, let alone starting a game, were pretty low after he was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite a few strong seasons at Missouri, the 24-year-old wasn’t a major prospect.
But the Jets saw enough in Cook to sign him after the draft. And Cook showed enough in camp to earn a spot on the team’s practice squad. Early in the season, Cook bounced between the active roster and practice squad but didn’t see time in a game until Week 14, when Cook came on in relief of Tyrod Taylor.
It wasn’t the best debut. After being pushed into action, Cook went 14-of-30 for 163 yards and two interceptions. Following Sunday’s game, Cook now has five interceptions on the season.
With Taylor and Justin Fields both dinged in Week 15, though, Cook was announced as the Jets’ starter against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He showed some promise early in the contest, tossing his first career NFL touchdown.
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While Cook’s future in the league is still in question, especially after the way the rest of the game went, it was a strong start from the rookie. Whether or not he gets another opportunity, both Cook and his family will remember that first touchdown pass for a long, long time.