Jets fans won’t have to wait much longer to get their first real look at Aaron Glenn’s team in live action, and the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should offer a few early clues about where the roster stands.
Glenn has said his starters will play a bit, but the spotlight in this one belongs to the younger players and the fringe guys fighting to climb the depth chart. After a 3-14 season in 2025, this is the kind of game that can start to separate names on paper from players who are actually forcing the issue.
A few Jets, in particular, are worth watching closely.
Cade Klubnik is the biggest draw. The former 5-star recruit is expected to see a good chunk of the game, and this will give fans their first real sense of how far he’s come in his development and how close he is to taking over the backup quarterback role behind Geno Smith. If he comes out sharp, the reaction around the fan base could get loud fast.
David Bailey is another player who has already turned heads in camp. He’s been one of the standout performers at training camp and even flashed his speed during joint practices with Tampa Bay. The next question is simple: can that practice buzz show up when the lights are on?
Azaraye'h Thomas enters the preseason opener in the middle of a battle that appears to be swinging his way. He spent the offseason competing with Nahshon Wright for one of the starting outside cornerback spots, and all signs from camp suggest Thomas has the edge. This game should help answer whether he’s ready for the CB2 job or still has some growing to do.
Then there’s Isaiah Williams, who may be pushing his way into more than just a depth role at receiver. He has a chance to make a case for the No. 4 wideout spot and could even put pressure on rookie Omar Cooper Jr. before the season begins. If Williams looks like a true wide receiver in this one, his stock gets a real bump.
For Jets fans, this preseason opener isn’t just about shaking off the rust. It’s a first look at players who could reshape the back end of the roster before the games start to count.
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Williams has already put himself in position as the likely No. 3 option behind Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, leaving Cooper to fight for a deeper role and whatever special teams value he can provide. He still has two preseason games left to make his case, and for a rookie trying to carve out a spot, that makes the next stretch feel especially important. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Offered An Early Glimpse Of Real Offensive Cohesion
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For a team trying to build rhythm before the games start counting, those are the kinds of details that matter more than the final preseason score. The bigger question now is whether that early connection can hold up once the snaps get longer and the competition gets sharper, especially for an offense that has spent so much time searching for continuity. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Preseason Opener Put Three Roster Battles In A Tough Spot
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For Zappe and Smith, the margin is getting thinner. Zappes outing left the Jets with more questions than answers at the position, while Smiths issues with drops again cut into his opportunity to make the kind of steady impression that keeps a receiver moving up the board. Moores limited action also hinted at where he may sit for now, and with preseason snaps at a premium, each of these small signs can carry real weight when roster decisions get closer. [Read more 🡒]