Jets cut ties with QB while awaiting Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor returns from injury

Billy Heyen

Jets cut ties with QB while awaiting Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor returns from injury image

The New York Jets have sent a subtle quarterback signal.

They did it by releasing quarterback Adrian Martinez from the practice squad on Monday, a move reported by ESPN's Rich Cimini.

The cut of Martinez suggests that at least one of Tyrod Taylor or Justin Fields is returning to full health.

The Jets needed Martinez in Week 15 because Taylor and Fields were both out. That made Martinez the backup to undrafted rookie Brady Cook, who got his first start in the Jets' 48-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Cook did throw his first NFL touchdown against the Jags, but he was picked off a couple times, too.

Earlier in the week, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said he'd make a decision on the Week 16 starting QB on Wednesday.

It seems like there certainly is going to be a decision to make. With Martinez gone, one of the more experienced QBs seems to coming back into the fold. Will Glenn go that route? Or will he give Cook another week to show what he can potentially do?

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There's no great answer for the Jets, especially when there's a real case to be made for them to continue to lose to help their draft position. New York's players wouldn't give less effort or anything like that, but if the Jets feel one QB helps them more in that cause, that could be the choice.

The Jets close out the season at the Saints, home against the Patriots and at the Bills. It's not an easy closing run. Whether it's Cook or one of the others who gets to take part in it remains to be seen.

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Staff Writer