The New York Jets closed out their 2025 preseason with a gut-wrenching 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium, leaving fans and analysts grasping for insights amid the chaos of exhibition football. Preseason games are a murky lens for evaluating talent—individual performances often shine or falter under the weight of subpar quarterback play, and with starters mostly sidelined, it’s tough to gauge true team potential. Yet, despite the limitations of these glorified scrimmages, last night’s game offered some stark revelations about the Jets’ roster. Here are five brutal lessons from the defeat that could shape the team’s trajectory as they head into the regular season.
1. Brady Cook’s NFL Dreams Are Fading Fast
Brady Cook’s performance against the Eagles was a nail in the coffin for his hopes of securing a practice squad spot. While Adrian Martinez didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, his earlier preseason showings gave him a clear edge in the race for the third-string quarterback role. Cook, on the other hand, showed little to inspire confidence. Completing nearly 70% of his passes sounds impressive—until you see his paltry 5.2 yards per attempt. His reluctance to push the ball downfield against backup defenses exposed a lack of aggression and vision, traits that don’t scream “NFL potential.” The Jets might have hoped to stash Cook on the practice squad for development, but after this showing, it’s hard to justify even that.
2. Armand Membou’s Rough Night Signals Growing Pains Ahead
Rookie right tackle Armand Membou was one of the few projected starters to see significant action, and the results were concerning. A pair of penalties and a generally shaky performance underscored the challenges he faces transitioning to the NFL. Membou’s struggles over the past two weeks suggest he’s in for a steep learning curve as the Jets’ starting right tackle—a position where they have no viable alternative. Facing TJ Watt in Week 1 looms as a daunting test, and the Jets must scheme extra protection to shield their rookie from being overwhelmed. Still, the silver lining is that these reps against live competition are exactly what Membou needs to accelerate his development.
3. Malachi Moore Is a Diamond in the Rough
While the starting safety job alongside Tony Adams remains out of reach, Malachi Moore made a compelling case to be the Jets’ third safety. His stat line was a showstopper: a team-high seven tackles, one tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and an interception. Moore was everywhere, playing with the kind of instincts and energy that suggest he could thrive as a role player. Preseason production against backups doesn’t always translate to the regular season, but when a rookie looks like a man among boys, it’s a promising sign. Moore’s versatility and playmaking ability could earn him meaningful snaps in sub-packages.
4. Kene Nwangwu Steals the Show at Running Back
The battle for the final running back roster spot took a decisive turn in Kene Nwangwu’s favor. Initially seen as a return specialist, Nwangwu has proven he’s more than just a special teams asset. His vision, decisiveness, and burst as a runner outshone Donovan Edwards in the last two preseason games. While Edwards may still have long-term potential, Nwangwu’s immediate impact as both a runner and returner makes him the smarter choice for the 53-man roster. The Jets might be able to sneak Edwards onto the practice squad, but Nwangwu’s spot feels secure.
5. Preseason QB Play Clouds the Big Picture
The overarching takeaway from this game—and the preseason as a whole—is the challenge of evaluating talent when quarterback play is so inconsistent. With starters resting, the Jets relied on sub-NFL caliber passers who struggled to exploit open receivers and often threw into tight coverage. This muddies the waters when assessing players like receivers and offensive linemen, whose success hinges on competent quarterbacking. The Jets’ coaching staff will need to lean heavily on practice tape and earlier preseason performances to finalize their roster, as last night’s game offered more questions than answers.
As the Jets turn their focus to the regular season, these lessons—painful as they are—provide a roadmap for improvement. Membou’s growth, Moore’s emergence, and Nwangwu’s rise offer glimmers of hope, but the quarterback situation and Cook’s struggles highlight the work still ahead. The real test begins in Week 1, where the Jets will need to translate these preseason lessons into tangible progress.