Why Brady Cook Is Starting at QB for Jets vs. Saints over Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor

Rookie quarterback Brady Cook will once again be under center for the New York Jets this week.

Head coach Aaron Glenn announced Wednesday that Cook will start against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, with either Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor serving as his backup.

Glenn said he wants to "evaluate" how the rookie plays on a "consistent basis."

"I feel like I want to continue to evaluate him, exactly how he's gonna operate on a consistent basis," Glenn said. "Throughout the week, Tyrod and Justin, we'll see how they progress during the week to see who will actually be the two or the three, cause those guys are coming back from injury and I want to make sure that we get the person that's gonna be the most healthy."

Fields, who has not played since Nov. 13, has been dealing with a knee injury since early December and is listed as questionable on the team's injury report. Taylor exited the Jets' Week 14 matchup against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter due to a groin injury, which led New York to turn to Cook.

Cook, who signed with the Jets after going undrafted out of Missouri, has had a rocky start to his NFL career. In his debut against the Dolphins, he threw for 163 yards and a pair of interceptions on 14-of-30 passing.

He struggled even more against the Jacksonville Jaguars in his first start last week, completing 22-of-33 passes for 176 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. New York lost that game 48-20.

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While Cook hasn't done much to impress so far, Glenn said he has "all the confidence in the world" in the rookie before last week's game. Cook will look to prove his coach right this week.

The Jets, who dropped to 3-11 after last week's loss, have little to play for since they're already eliminated from postseason contention, so it doesn't do much damage to allow a rookie to get reps with the first team.

It has been an up and down season for both Fields and Taylor.

Fields has played just nine games because of injuries and benchings, throwing for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns and an interception. He's added 383 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Fields still has another year left on his Jets' contract, but it's reasonable to think he may have played his last snap in New York after a season of struggles.

Taylor has filled in for Fields throughout the year, but hasn't been able to establish himself as the starter consistently. In six games, he's thrown for 779 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions.