During training camp, especially after one preseason game, cue the overreactions.
As my brother used to say when losing in Madden, “Cut the whole team!” Alternatively, fans enshrine the next undrafted free agent in Canton due to one catch. (I’m looking at you, Jason Brownlee.)
It’s early yet, and there are still two more preseason games and several more training camp practices to get a better look at some of the roster bubble players. And then, there’s a question of how much preseason should factor into decisions, anyway; remember, the New York Jets’ winner of the 2024 preseason was Takk McKinley.
Still, based on how the Jets’ roster is shaping up, there is actually quite a wide range of outcomes for the last six or seven spots. That’s far more slots than over the last few seasons.
Let’s go through some of the Jets’ roster bubble players and discuss whether the Jets should keep or cut them. These decisions factor into not only the player’s performance in camp and preseason but also larger New York Jets roster considerations.
Intriguing reasons to keep one
There are two main reasons for the Jets to keep one of these players on the roster.
First of all, the NFL reinstated the old rule about having an emergency quarterback on gameday. A team that has a third quarterback available can keep them inactive and still insert them into the game if the other two quarterbacks get injured.
However, this applies only to quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, not those elevated from the practice squad. If a quarterback is elevated from the practice squad, he must be active on gameday in order to enter the game.
This is an advantage to having a third quarterback on the active roster. A team can activate a different player and still have the benefit of a third quarterback in the event that the first two get hurt. (That would have helped, say, the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 NFC championship game when Christian McCaffrey was forced to play quarterback.)
Furthermore, Justin Fields has had some injury problems in the past, missing time due to various ailments in all three of his seasons with the Chicago Bears. Tyrod Taylor is one of the most injury-prone quarterbacks in the NFL and just had a knee scope, and the Jets “hope” he will be back by Week 1.
Whether or not Taylor is ready for the opening game, the risk of injury is significant enough to want to have another one available.
UDFA Brady Cook adds intrigue to the New York Jets QB roomThe ultimate factor
However, evaluating whether a player is worth a roster spot should always come down to this: What are the chances the player will pass through to the practice squad?
If the answer is that they will almost undoubtedly clear waivers, there is little reason to take up a valuable roster spot for that player. They can always be signed to the active roster later when injuries inevitably hit.
Cook has made tremendous strides during training camp. He came out during OTAs and early in camp looking like he didn’t even belong in an NFL training camp. By now, though, he’s improved enough for Jets X-Factor’s Robby Sabo to predict that he will ultimately make the Jets’ 53-man roster (at least in his pre-preseason prediction).
Meanwhile, Martinez had some solid performances in the 2024 preseason and played reasonably well against Green Bay. The Jets know what he is—primarily a one-read-and-go player who can make some things happen on the move but will also make egregious mistakes.
However, the chances that both Cook and Martinez will pass through to the practice squad are close to 100%. Therefore, it makes little sense to add either player to the 53-man roster.
The verdict: Cut both, but keep on the practice squad
Keep them on the practice squad and elevate them if necessary.
The calculation becomes trickier if the Jets know Taylor won’t be ready for Week 1 when cutdown day comes (Aug. 26, 12 days before their opening game). The Jets would need to pass Taylor through to the 53-man roster regardless.
Taking an extra roster spot for a quarterback who may only be needed for a week or two seems like a waste.
Therefore, unless Taylor needs to go on injured reserve, my inclination is to say that neither player should make the initial roster. I would carry both on the practice squad, though.
If the Jets carry one of these two players, I am inclined to go with Cook. Although Adrian Martinez is more reliable as a veteran, and both players have some upside with their legs, Brady Cook’s improvement in camp is enough for me to want to give the kid a shot.
