In an intriguing turn of events, the New York Jets are set to put their faith in undrafted quarterback Brady Cook as they gear up for their Week 15 clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the track record for undrafted quarterbacks typically doesn’t inspire confidence, there remains a flicker of hope for the unexpected success stories that have emerged from similar situations in the past.
Brady Cook is stepping into the spotlight at a time when the Jets are in desperate need of a fresh perspective on offense. History has shown that undrafted players can surprise the league and carve out remarkable careers, often transitioning from overlooked prospects to significant contributors. The narrative surrounding these players is one of resilience and opportunity—reminding fans that the draft’s snubs can occasionally lead to triumph on the field.
Though it is unlikely that Cook will replicate the meteoric rise of legends like Kurt Warner, who famously went from bagging groceries to becoming a Hall of Famer, there remains a rich history of undrafted quarterbacks who have defied the odds. To draw from that history, it’s worth examining the top five undrafted quarterbacks in NFL history based on career passing yards.
Starting with Warren Moon, who amassed an impressive 49,325 yards, his journey began at the University of Washington, where he led his team to a Rose Bowl victory. Though overlooked due to racial bias pertaining to Black quarterbacks, Moon’s career took off in the Canadian Football League where he dominated statistically, leading the Edmonton Eskimos to five consecutive Grey Cup wins. He finally joined the NFL in 1984, mainly with the Houston Oilers, becoming the first Black quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Another noteworthy name is Dave Krieg, who finished his career with 38,147 yards. He starred at the now-defunct Milton College, a place that didn’t offer him the national acclaim he deserved, leaving him undrafted in 1980. However, Krieg quickly made a name for himself with the Seattle Seahawks, starting 119 games over 12 seasons and leading the franchise to its first AFC Championship Game.
Tony Romo, renowned for his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, racked up 34,183 yards. Despite winning the Walter Payton Award in college, concerns about his competition level and arm strength resulted in him going undrafted in 2003. After waiting three years to start, Romo became the franchise quarterback, retiring in 2017 as the all-time leading passer in both yards and touchdowns for the Cowboys.
Kurt Warner carved out his own incredible legacy with 32,344 passing yards. His journey from being undrafted in 1994 to stardom included stops in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe. The turning point in Warner’s career came when he joined the St. Louis Rams and led them to a Super Bowl victory in 1999—the first of three Super Bowl appearances. His remarkable career earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Lastly, Jon Kitna, who accumulated 29,745 passing yards, also faced the undrafted label after shining at Central Washington. Like the others, he began his career with the Seattle Seahawks before developing further in NFL Europe, eventually leading to a long and fruitful NFL journey.
As Brady Cook steps onto the field this Sunday, he joins the ranks of those who have turned the tables on what it means to be undrafted. While the challenges ahead are substantial, the potential for greatness remains palpable, giving Jets fans a glimmer of hope that they might just witness another inspiring story unfold.
