The goal for Brady Cook and the Jets offense Sunday and likely for their season finale: “growth.”
That is according to offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who is turning to an undrafted rookie quarterback for a fourth straight game and third straight start in a truly lost season.
Cook has shown little growth, throwing one touchdown pass and six interceptions since relieving an injured Tyrod Taylor.
Sunday’s miserable loss in New Orleans was particularly dreary, Cook unable to get the offense into gear and taking eight sacks in large part because he held on to the ball too long.
The Jets are hoping with more reps comes more awareness.
“He’s just continuing to understand what we’re trying to accomplish on every play, which I think he’s actually done a pretty darn good job of, but then also understanding the things we can and can’t do on every single play,” Engstrand said at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Patriots. “Just for example, say on a third-and-15, we can’t take a sack even if we’re scrambling out of the pocket. We just got to throw the ball away. Or if we see a hot [read], we got to get the ball out hot and just some of those things and some of the situational football that we got to continue to improve upon.”
Engstrand said his own job is to simplify the offense to a point Cook is not “overthinking” at the snap.
The Jets might not have anything to play for — and are incentivized to lose, with the fans’ eyes on the draft board — but they want to at least run an offense that allows their young players to develop.
Those young players include Cook, who conceivably could play his way into a future backup role with the team, unlike the 36-year-old Taylor.
It is rare that a rookie quarterback, and particularly one who was bypassed by all in the draft, receives this kind of run.
“He knows this is a great opportunity for him, just as it is for any of the other players out there,” Engstrand said of Cook. “They’re always trying to put forth their best performance on a daily and weekly basis and for the evaluation process.”
Taylor (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, as was defensive lineman Harrison Phillips.
Not practicing were QB Justin Fields (knee, who was officially placed on IR), LB Kiko Mauigoa (neck), DE Will McDonald IV (knee), TE Mason Taylor (neck) and DL Jay Tufele (foot).
DE Eric Watts (concussion) returned to practice as a full participant.
The Jets claimed safety Christopher Smith II, a 2023 fifth-round pick of the Raiders who had been waived by the Rams.
