The New York Jets’ quarterback picture still feels unsettled, and the conversation around who might eventually fill that spot isn’t getting any quieter.
For now, Geno Smith gives the Jets something that looks like stability. But the bigger issue is what comes after him, and that’s where the concern keeps building. New York still doesn’t appear to have enough at quarterback to make anyone comfortable about the future.
Cade Klubnik is part of that discussion, too, though there are still questions about whether he’s really the answer. That uncertainty is part of why other names are starting to surface.
The Athletic recently pointed to two options already on the roster that could become relevant depending on how the season unfolds: Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook.
“Bailey Zappe: He ran with the twos in OTAs and minicamp and is the most experienced of this bunch - though that has only amounted to 15 games and nine starts over time with the New England Patriots and Browns. He didn’t show enough yet to lock him into the job, but he is on par or better than many of the available veteran options out there right now…
“Brady Cook: He’s a valued locker room guy and is lauded for his IQ, it’s just fairly evident - both from the games he played last season (two touchdowns, seven interceptions) and practices in the spring - that he is probably not an NFL quarterback,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote.
Those two names may not be the flashiest answers, but they are already in the building, and that alone keeps them in the conversation as the Jets keep sorting through their quarterback future.
In Other News...
Forgotten Jets Lineman Still Has A Real Shot To Survive Camp
Eric Watts is back in the mix for the Jets as training camp opens in 2026, and the undrafted defensive lineman still has a path to make some noise despite spending most of last season on the practice squad. New Yorks move to a 3-4 defense could help his case, since Watts has worked both at defensive end and defensive tackle, giving him the kind of flexibility coaches tend to value when they start sorting out the bottom of the roster.
Even so, the climb remains steep. Watts looks more like a player fighting to keep himself in the organization than one with a clear lane to the Week 1 roster, and the more realistic outcome may be another stint on the practice squad. But camp is exactly where a player with his background can change the conversation, especially if the new scheme creates just enough room for versatility to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Fans Just Got A Frustrating Training Camp Access Update
The Jets are set to open training camp on July 28 at Florham Park, but the familiar summer routine will look a little different this year. The team announced seven open practice dates, and the schedule is being shaped by the ongoing renovations for a new Player Performance Center, which have cut into both parking and usable space around the facility.
For fans hoping to get close to the action, access will be tighter than usual. The club has limited attendance because of the construction, and the announced practices are being spread out with a mix of fan access and member-only opportunities, including two joint sessions with the Buccaneers later in camp. For a fan base eager to see how the roster takes shape, the calendar is there, but the easiest way in is not. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Fans Won't Agree On This Latest Quarterback Trade Idea
The Jets quarterback search is never far from the front of the conversation, and another trade idea has surfaced as the team keeps looking for a way to stabilize the position. The latest suggestion points toward Cleveland, where a young backup has been squeezed into a crowded quarterback room and could be available if the Browns decide to move on from some depth.
For New York, the appeal is obvious: a recent third-round pick with some NFL starts already on his rsum, and a chance to add another arm without paying full starter price. But the fit is trickier than the headline suggests, because the Jets are still trying to solve a much bigger problem than simply adding another name to the depth chart, which is why any move here would have to come at a very low cost to make sense. [Read more 🡒]
