Jets face uncertain QB depth

Tyrod Taylor's knee surgery sidelines him for the remainder of the preseason and Heightens the Jets' questions behind Justin Fields.

Jets face uncertain QB depth after Tyrod Taylor knee surgery

Tyrod Taylor underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, sidelining him for multiple practices. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Taylor will miss the rest of the preseason and the team hopes he can be ready for Week 1 against the Steelers.

With Taylor out, Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook will continue to share backup duties behind starter Justin Fields. Neither Martinez nor Cook has appeared in an NFL regular-season game, creating a clear depth gap for a team counting on its quarterback room to mature quickly. Fields, who has dealt with a toe injury in camp, did lead the Jets to a touchdown on his lone drive in the preseason opener against the Packers.

The Jets face a practical test of their quarterback depth at a moment when preparation time is limited. Taylor’s absence shifts the August workload to two unproven backups, which could influence how the team evaluates roster decisions and future depth moves. The immediate risk is not just the performance gap in August but the potential impact on Week 1 game plan and development of the quarterback room as a whole.

This situation underscores a broader challenge for teams aiming to balance an established starter with reliable insurance. If Martinez and Cook struggle to prove they belong in the NFL, the Jets might need to explore veterans or different paths to secure a more predictable backup situation. The coming weeks will reveal how much weight the organization places on learning through real-game reps versus managing risk with a veteran presence.

Highlights

The road to Week 1 will test the Jets' depth plan and the long arc of quarterback development.