The New York Jets initially planned to acquire another veteran quarterback this summer to back up Geno Smith. They showed some interest in Russell Wilson, who recently opted for retirement instead. Fourth round rookie Cade Klubnik is currently in the backup role.
Klubnik has been an up-and-down performer at OTAs. Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe are also on the roster at quarterback. The Jets don’t have a settled situation behind Smith, and may still look to acquire a veteran at training camp.
Sports Illustrated recently ranked all 32 backup quarterbacks in the league. Unsurprisingly, Klubnik and the Jets ranked dead-last at No. 32. Former Jets QB Joe Flacco was named the best backup in the NFL.
“It’s not a given that Klubnik will open the season as Geno Smith’s backup after coach Aaron Glenn recently said that veteran Bailey Zappe is No. 2 on the depth chart, but he added that there’s an “open competition” for the role,” Gilberto Manzano wrote. “I predict that Klubnik will win the QB2 job this summer, and it bodes well that he’s already received praise from Smith for the way he prepares throughout the week. Most teams would rather not have a rookie fourth-rounder as the backup QB, but the Jets likely wouldn’t mind seeing what they have in Klubnik before next year’s loaded QB draft class.”
The Jets should have interest in learning more about Klubnik prior to the 2027 NFL draft.
It’s understandable that most teams wouldn’t want a fourth-round rookie backing up their temporary starter. For the rebuilding Jets, it makes perfect sense.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Sports Illustrated ranks Jets’ backup QB spot (and it’s not pretty)
Reporting by Justin Melo, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Justin Melo, Jets Wire | USA TODAY Network
