The Jets head to Pittsburgh tonight with three things on their preseason checklist, and all of them say a lot more about the roster than the scoreboard.
New York’s second exhibition game kicks off at 7 p.m. EST against the Steelers in western Pennsylvania, and the focus will be squarely on whether the good vibes from Week 1 can carry over. That’s the first test: can the Jets’ standout performers do it again?
Preseason opens the door to overreaction, and this is exactly the kind of game that invites it. Rosters are chopped into short stints, the playbook stays simple, and players are often figuring out timing on the fly.
One strong night can mean plenty, or almost nothing. What matters more is whether the same names keep popping up.
That’s why the Jets will be watching Braelon Allen, who is on track to start at running back in place of Breece Hall, to see if the burst shows up again. They’ll be looking for another strong corner rep from Azareye’h Thomas, who is trying to seize a starting job. And they’ll want more from sixth-round rookie guard Anez Cooper, who was one of the bright spots in the opener.
The second goal centers on quarterback Cade Klubnik, who is close to settling the backup job behind Geno Smith, the starter tonight. Klubnik has handled most of the second-team work in camp and beat Bailey Zappe in the opener, giving himself a clear edge in the battle for QB2.
For the Jets, that matters. If Klubnik wins the job, they can use the roster spot that would otherwise go to a third quarterback somewhere else.
His first preseason outing didn’t produce eye-catching numbers, but it did show poise after he was dropped into the starting lineup at the last minute. He worked through his reads, stayed composed in the pocket, and threw with confidence despite limited reps with the first unit.
Tonight, the Jets will be looking for the same “three Cs” - cool, calm, and collected - even if the stat line stays modest.
The third objective is simpler: get flashes from a rookie class that New York is counting on heavily. The Jets expect critical roles from edge rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Sadiq and Ponds are done for the rest of the preseason as the team eases them toward Week 1, so Bailey and Cooper will carry more of the load tonight after both played in the opener.
The Jets would love a few splash plays from that group, especially with four top-50 picks and the pressure that comes with that kind of draft capital. Bailey and Cooper looked solid against Tampa Bay, even if they didn’t deliver fireworks, and New York could use a little more pop from both.
Darrell Jackson Jr., the fourth-round defensive tackle, is another rookie who can use a stronger showing after a quiet debut. And Anez Cooper already made his case in Week 1, dominating much of the second half against Tampa Bay’s back-of-the-roster defense. If he keeps that going, he could become a useful backup this season.
With Sadiq and Ponds sidelined for the rest of the preseason, the spotlight tonight falls on Bailey, Cooper, Klubnik, Jackson, and Cooper to keep the buzz around what the Jets view as the most valuable rookie class in the NFL based on cumulative draft capital.
In Other News...
Jets Backup QB Battle Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Bailey Zappe
Bailey Zappes rough preseason run has pushed the Jets backup quarterback picture into sharper focus at a time when the roster is still taking shape. With Geno Smith established as the starter, the expected internal answer behind him now appears to be Cade Klubnik, a development that gives the team a clearer outline at the position even as it weighs how much depth it wants to carry into the regular season.
The bigger question is what comes next if the Jets decide to keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Zappe does not look like a strong candidate for the practice squad or an active job, which leaves the team looking at outside options as final cuts and possible trades start to loosen the market. For a team trying to protect itself at the most important spot on the field, the backup plan may still be a work in progress. [Read more 🡒]
Former Jets Linebacker Is Becoming A UFC Heavyweight Story Fast
Anthony Wints climb from former NFL linebacker to UFC heavyweight prospect has picked up speed in a hurry. After earning a UFC contract with a technical knockout win over Matt Adams on Dana Whites Contender Series, he made his promotional debut just 11 days later and wasted little time making an impression, submitting Terrance Chatman with an arm-triangle choke in the first round.
For Jets fans, it is another reminder that Wints post-football path is turning into something worth following beyond the novelty of the transition. He is now 8-0 in MMA and moving quickly through the heavyweight ranks, with the kind of early momentum that can turn a newcomer into a real storyline before the rest of the sport has a chance to catch up. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Rookie Is Making A Real Push For A Huge Cornerback Role
Azareyeh Thomas has turned the Jets first two preseason games into an early case for a much bigger role. The rookie corner has been on the field for 24 defensive snaps and has come away without allowing a catch, missing a tackle or drawing a penalty, a tidy opening act for a player trying to break into a defense that suddenly has a major opening at cornerback.
With Sauce Gardner gone, the Jets are sorting through options opposite Brandon Stephens, and Thomas is at least making himself part of that conversation. His college tape and physical tools point to a fit in New Yorks man-heavy scheme, which is exactly why this summer matters so much for him. The preseason has not settled the job, but it has shown Thomas can keep himself in the mix. [Read more 🡒]