The New York Jets have had an interesting offseason when it comes to the quarterback position. After a failed Justin Fields experiment and release, the Jets have reshaped their QB room.
Geno Smith is the starting QB for the Jets, but after missing out on multiple backup QB options, including Carson Wentz and Russell Wilson (who retired and joined CBS Sports as an analyst), the Jets' backup QB spot has been narrowed down to two options.
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, the only two players in contention for the QB2 spot in New York are veteran journeyman Bailey Zappe and rookie fourth-rounder Cade Klubnik.
Jets QB competition down to Klubnik vs. Zappe
"Glenn said Klubnik, Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook will compete for the No. 2 job, though it appears to be a two-man competition -- Klubnik and Zappe," Cimini writes.
The Jets' No. 2 quarterback behind Smith is going to be either Zappe or Klubnik, barring another outside addition or surprise training camp from Brady Cook.
Zappe, the 27-year-old veteran QB who played with the New England Patriots in 2022 and 2023, and the Cleveland browns in 2024, will have a chance to win the QB2 job this summer.
He has some NFL experience, recording 335 passing attempts in the NFL with 2,223 yards and 12 touchdowns with 14 interceptions in his career.
Klubnik, on the other hand, is a rookie who's just getting his start in the NFL. He showed some promise during OTAs and minicamp, but a minor back injury kept him from running away with the backup QB job.
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After a 36-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio with 3,639 passing yards in 2024, Klubnik threw for just 2,943 yards with 16 TDs and 6 interceptions this past season for Clemson.
Regression for Klubnik brought his draft value down, and the Jets took him at No. 110 overall in the fourth round.
While the plan might not have been to turn to Klubnik as the backup QB behind Smith, after missing out on Wentz and Wilson, the competition is down to the former Clemson QB and Zappe.
It could go either way, but the upside of Klubnik likely makes him the favorite to earn the QB2 job in New York. With a good supporting cast and Smith being unlikely to start the full season, the backup QB job is a big one for the Jets this season.
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