The New York Jets quarterback room has basically been a game of musical chairs lately. If you’re trying to figure out who is the Jets backup QB right now, the answer depends entirely on which week of the 2025-2026 season you stopped watching. After the "Justin Fields experiment" hit a massive wall due to a knee injury and erratic play, the depth chart at One Jets Drive became a bit of a revolving door.
Right now, the situation is a mix of veteran reliability and "who is that?" rookie potential. As of January 2026, the Jets’ starting job has technically fallen to rookie Brady Cook, the undrafted free agent out of Missouri who stepped in late in the season. Behind him, the veteran presence is Tyrod Taylor, though his "backup" status has been complicated by his own nagging injuries.
The Current Hierarchy: Brady Cook and Tyrod Taylor
It’s kind of wild to think that an undrafted rookie is leading the charge, but that’s the 2025 Jets for you. Brady Cook took over the starting reins in December after Justin Fields was placed on Injured Reserve. This leaves the 36-year-old Tyrod Taylor as the primary veteran backup, assuming he's healthy enough to suit up.
Honestly, Taylor’s 2025 season wasn't exactly what the front office hoped for. He finished the year with a passer rating of 72.9—the second-lowest of his long career. While he’s the quintessential "pro's pro," the Jets have been using these final weeks to see if Cook has any long-term juice. Behind those two, you’ve got Hendon Hooker, who the Jets signed to the active roster late in the year to provide some athletic insurance.
Why the "Who is the Jets backup QB" Question is So Messy
The reason everyone is Googling the depth chart is that the Jets' QB room has been a triage unit. Let's look at the names that have cycled through:
- Justin Fields: Started 8 of the first 9 games. His season ended on IR with a knee injury.
- Tyrod Taylor: Started Week 3 and several games in November. Currently the "elder statesman" backup.
- Brady Cook: The Missouri product who became the first Jets UDFA to start at QB since 1973.
- Hendon Hooker: A late-season addition who moved from the practice squad to the active roster in January.
- Adrian Martinez: Served as the backup during Cook's first start in Jacksonville while Taylor was dealing with a groin issue.
It’s been a mess. You’ve basically had a situation where the backup becomes the starter, the third-stringer becomes the backup, and the guy from the practice squad is suddenly one snap away from playing in MetLife Stadium.
The 2026 Offseason Pivot
Now that the season is wrapping up with a disappointing 3-14 record, the conversation about who is the Jets backup QB is shifting toward the draft and free agency. The team holds the No. 2 overall pick, and for a while, everyone assumed they’d grab Oregon’s Dante Moore.
That plan blew up.
Moore announced on January 14, 2026, that he’s staying at Oregon. This leaves the Jets in a weird spot. They might stick with Cook as a developmental piece or look at a veteran like Malik Willis (currently with the Packers) to come in and compete. There’s also buzz about Bailey Zappe, who the Jets recently signed to a Reserve/Future contract. Signing a guy to a "future" deal is basically an NFL team saying, "We like you enough to let you compete in training camp, but don't buy a house here yet."
What You Should Expect Next
If you're a Jets fan, the depth chart is going to look completely different by August. The team is likely to "dump" Tyrod Taylor as he hits free agency—he’s 36 and the production just isn't there anymore.
Expect the Jets to use their massive draft capital (including the 16th pick they got from the Sauce Gardner trade) to find a real solution. Until then, Brady Cook is the guy on the field, and a rotating cast of veterans like Taylor or futures-contract guys like Zappe occupy the backup spots.
Your Next Steps for Tracking the Jets QB Room:
- Monitor the Senior Bowl and Combine: Since the Jets missed out on Dante Moore, they’ll be scouting names like Ty Simpson (Alabama) or Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) very closely.
- Watch the "Reserve/Future" Signings: Keep an eye on names like Bailey Zappe. These aren't just "camp bodies"; in a desperate QB room, these guys often end up being the primary backup by Week 1.
- Free Agency Starts in March: This is when we'll know if the Jets are moving on from Tyrod Taylor. If they sign a mid-tier veteran, that person becomes the de facto answer to your backup QB question for 2026.