Jets rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik made his NFL debut Friday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium, leading scoring drives on both of his series. Stepping in for a sidelined Geno Smith, Klubnik finished 5-of-7 for 56 yards in a 10-0 performance that highlighted his composure in his first professional appearance.
Geno Smith Sidelined by Ankle Soreness
Geno Smith, expected to be the Jets’ starter for the regular season, was a late scratch for Friday’s preseason opener. According to head coach Aaron Glenn, the decision to hold Smith out was precautionary due to ankle soreness. While Smith participated in joint practices with the Buccaneers on Wednesday without showing signs of injury, the team opted to rest him against Tampa Bay, who played their backups.
Although the team did not officially announce the reason for his absence prior to kickoff, a person with knowledge of the decision confirmed the injury to The Associated Press. Coach Glenn had previously stated that everybody’s playing
in the game, but the team decided to sit Smith as the kickoff approached. Glenn noted on the CBS broadcast that the team does not believe the injury is a serious issue.
Klubnik’s Performance and Scoring Drives
Cade Klubnik, a fourth-round pick out of Clemson, was informed of his starting role on Thursday. With his parents and wife in the stands at MetLife Stadium, Klubnik said the voice in his head told him: Let’s go play some football.
His debut featured two distinct scoring drives. On the opening series, Klubnik orchestrated a 12-play, 55-yard march. He opened his first NFL appearance with a 12-yard pass to tight end Mason Taylor. He then connected with wideout Garrett Wilson twice for 32 yards, including an impressive leaping grab in traffic for a 21-yard gain. After Klubnik threw an incomplete pass to Wilson in the end zone on third down, the Jets settled for a 27-yard field goal by Cade York to take a 3-0 lead.
Klubnik remained on the field for a second series with the backups, again helping lead the Jets to a score. He completed a 5-yard pass to first-rounder Omar Cooper Jr. and then turned the offense over to running back Braelon Allen. Allen carried the ball on three straight plays, capped by a 31-yard dash into the end zone to make it 10-0. Klubnik finished 5 of 7 for 56 yards before being replaced by veteran Bailey Zappe.
Quarterback Competition and Roster Stakes
The preseason opener provided a look at the ongoing competition for the backup quarterback role behind Smith. Klubnik is competing against Zappe and Brady Cook for the No. 2 job. His performance against the Buccaneers’ reserves is notable given his college background; he arrives in the NFL after a four-year stint at Clemson, where he threw for over 10,000 yards and 73 touchdowns with 24 interceptions in 49 games, including 40 starts. He was the fifth quarterback selected in April’s draft, following Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Carson Beck, and Drew Allar.
Defensive Observations and Future Outlook
While the focus remained on the quarterback rotation, the game also offered a glimpse of high-profile rookie talent on the other side of the ball. David Bailey, the second overall pick in the NFL draft, saw action against the Buccaneers’ offense. Though he did not record a sack in his two series against quarterback Connor Bazelak, he demonstrated his physicality by stopping the run and executing a spin move on the first series. On one pass play, he was double-teamed into the turf by the Buccaneers.
As the Jets prepare for the remainder of the preseason, the health of Smith’s ankle and the continued development of the backup candidates remain primary storylines. Klubnik, coming off a season at Clemson where the team went 7-6, continues to transition into the professional ranks as he vies for a permanent spot on the depth chart.
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