Aaron Glenn provides update on backup QB competition behind Geno Smith

The New York Jets quarterback room, as currently constructed, is a pretty young and inexperienced group.

35-year-old Geno Smith is the starter, of course, but behind him are rookie Cade Klubnik, second-year quarterback Brady Cook, and Bailey Zappe, who has roughly a season's worth of NFL game experience under his belt.

It remains unclear who exaclty who will be the Jets' backup quarterback once Week 1 of the 2026 season rolls around, but one thing is certain. Right now, it's anyone's gig.

Aaron Glenn says backup quarterback job is an 'open competition'

Speaking with reporters at OTAs, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was asked about the ongoing backup quarterback competition.

"It is an open competition. Obviously, Geno is our No. 1, Bailey, he was our No. 2 (yesterday), but that can change as we go through these practices. But that's how we started out yesterday."

Aaron Glenn

It sounds like right now, Zappe, the most experienced quarterback on the roster outside of Smith, is the current backup. But as Glenn noted, things can always change.

Zappe, a former fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2022, has nine career starts under his belt and a 4-5 record. He's thrown for 2,223 yards, completed 62.1% of his passes, and tossed 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.

He totally could be the backup come Week 1. After all, Klubnik has never thrown a pass in the NFL, and Cook doesn't have the best recent sample size.

But there's also the chance the Jets look externally for their primary insurance policy behind Smith. After all, would you trust any of the aforementioned quarterbacks to come into a game and get a win?

That's why the Jets reportedly have an offer on the table for veteran Russell Wilson. Sure, he's not what he once was, dating back to his Seattle Seahawks days, but he could spot-start in case of injury and not tank an offense.

As the summer progresses, Glenn, Frank Reich, and Darren Mougey will have to evaluate the quarterbacks they have on hand to see if they have a backup they can trust.

Otherwise, they will almost certainly turn to the veteran market to add some more stability to the room.

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