The Jets’ preseason trip to Pittsburgh comes with more questions than answers, and the biggest one starts at quarterback. New York and the Steelers open their 2026 NFL exhibition season on Friday at Acrisure Stadium, and the Jets will be using every snap to sort through roster battles while Aaron Glenn continues to establish himself in his first year as a head coach in the NFL.
The most obvious name to watch is Geno Smith. The expectation was that Smith would be under center in the preseason opener, but that never happened, and he was still limping in practice earlier this week.
The question now is simple: will he be out there in Pittsburgh? Last week, fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik got the start in Smith’s place.
The backfield is suddenly in a tricky spot, too. Breece Hall went down on the first day of practice ahead of this week’s matchup, and while the injury was non-contact, he did suffer a groin strain.
It is not season ending, but it does leave the Jets thin. Backup Isaiah Davis is already out with an ankle injury, which could push more work toward Braelon Allen for the rest of the preseason.
Another possibility is that Glenn leans on lesser-known depth players and plays it safe with the group.
Then there’s the defense, where the snap-count plan is still unclear. How long the starters stay on offense may depend on Smith’s status, but Glenn also has to decide what he wants to do on the other side of the ball. The preseason is about sorting out roles, and this game should offer a clearer look at how he wants to manage those reps.
In Other News...
Jets Face Real Roster Pressure In Pittsburgh After Rough Opener
The second preseason game in Pittsburgh arrives with more than the usual August fine print for the Jets, because a handful of jobs already feel unsettled after the opener. Xavier Newman entered camp as the projected backup center, but he has competition from rookie Anez Cooper, and the next chance to settle that battle comes against a Steelers front that will give the offense another hard look. It is the kind of game where every snap matters a little more, especially for players who cannot afford to blend in.
Bailey Zappe is in a similar spot at quarterback, chasing the backup role while Cade Klubnik has given the staff plenty to consider after his strong first outing. For the Jets, the broader picture is less about preseason polish and more about sorting out who can be trusted when the roster gets trimmed, with Pittsburgh offering another stage for those decisions to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Fans Should Notice What Aaron Glenn Did With Cade Klubnik
Geno Smith was inactive for the Jets preseason game because of a sore foot, and that opened the door for rookie Cade Klubnik to get the start. In limited action, Klubnik handled the opportunity well, giving Aaron Glenn a clean look at a young quarterback in a setting where the staff can afford to evaluate without worrying about the regular-season pressure.
What stood out, though, was Glenns willingness to make that call at all. ESPNs Rich Cimini suggested the decision may have been shaped by the influence of former Jets coach Bill Parcells, though that remains speculation, and it fits the kind of measured, old-school approach Glenn has tried to bring into the building. For Jets fans, it is one more small sign that Glenn is setting a tone, even in August, with every choice carrying a little more meaning than a typical preseason lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Woody Johnson Just Gave Jets Fans A Fresh Reason To Debate Him
As the Jets get ready for a new season under Aaron Glenn, owner Woody Johnson has added another high-profile sports investment to his portfolio. Johnson has acquired a strategic minority stake in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, a move confirmed by the team and by NFL insider Rich Cimini, and he is set to join the teams Board of Directors as vice chairman.
For Jets fans, it is the sort of development that invites the familiar mix of curiosity and skepticism around an owner whose every move tends to get scrutinized in New York. It also nudges Johnson further into the global sports business world at a time when the Jets are trying to build momentum on the field, making his latest off-field step one more thing for a fan base to talk about as camp and the season approach. [Read more 🡒]