Aug 28, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik (10) scrambles during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Nine months ago, Jets fans had the illusion of Fernando Mendoza under center in their heads. Now, with Week 1 of the 2026 season just under two weeks away, head coach Aaron Glenn is rolling with Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik.
Glenn officially named Klubnik the Jets’ backup quarterback — the only other passer on the 53-man roster other than Smith.
A fourth-round pick out of Clemson, Klubnik beat out Bailey Zappe, who was released on Sunday and returned to the Jets’ practice squad, and Brady Cook, who signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey discussed the possibility of bringing in another veteran option to back up the 35-year-old Smith, such as Russell Wilson, but opted to stay the course with Klubnik.
“He’s our backup quarterback, and he’ll do a good job,” Glenn said.
Klubnik completed 21 of his 34 pass attempts for 190 yards with one interception and no touchdowns during the preseason. That was enough for the Jets to give the 22-year-old the keys to the scout team offense, which provides extra practice reps.
“That was a huge part of it,” Glenn said. “Then it’s just the confidence in how he operates and what he’s done in practice, what he’s done in games.”
In a perfect world, Klubnik won’t see many regular-season reps this season. Since he regained his role as starting quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, Smith has missed four games over the last four years.
His numbers, though, aren’t as consistent. After throwing for 4,320 yards with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions two years ago in Seattle, Smith bombed as the leading man of the Las Vegas Raiders, going 2-13 as their starter while throwing for 3,025 yards and a league-leading 17 interceptions.
Now in his second stint with the Jets, and surrounded by a roster that is yet again expected to be one of the worst in the NFL, Smith does not appear to be in the same sort of environment as the one that allowed him to flourish in Seattle two years ago. Should he struggle, Glenn would then potentially throw Klubnik to the wolves.
For more on Cade Klubnik and the Jets, visit AMNY.com
