Cade Klubnik made a strong first impression in the New York Jets’ preseason opener, and the rookie may get another chance to keep building on it if Geno Smith remains sidelined.
Klubnik started against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and handled the moment well, completing 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards. He also helped the Jets put together two scoring drives while filling in for Smith, who is still working through a left ankle injury.
That injury situation could keep Klubnik in the mix this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn made it clear Smith’s status will depend on how he responds in practice.
"I want to see exactly how he feels coming out of this practice to see how we're going to continue to move forward," Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said.
The Jets took Klubnik with the 110th overall pick in the 2026 draft, a far cry from where he had been projected before the 2025 college football season. He had been viewed as one of the top 2026 draft prospects, but Clemson’s struggles, along with his own uneven season, pushed his stock down.
Even after that slide, Klubnik arrives with plenty of production on his résumé. He finished the 2025 college football season with 2,943 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns, and his Clemson career ended with 10,123 passing yards and 73 passing touchdowns.
For now, Klubnik is also in a competition with Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe for the Jets’ No. 2 quarterback job. But if Smith can’t get right quickly, Klubnik could get a longer look sooner than expected.
Smith is trying to rebound in his second stint with the Jets after leading the NFL in interceptions last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. His best NFL stretch came with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 and 2023, when he made the Pro Bowl both years and won the 2022 AP Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Through his NFL career, Smith has thrown for 22,168 yards, 124 touchdowns and 89 interceptions, and he owns a 42-56-0 record as a starter.
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