Aaron Glenn unveils plans for playing starters against Steelers in preseason Week 2

In the New York Jets preseason opener, Aaron Glenn opted to trot each and every one of his starters out on the field, at least for the first two possessions on each side of the ball. The lone exception was Geno Smith, who was out with an ankle injury.

Glenn seems committed to getting his key players reps throughout the preseason. He said as much before the opener last week and continued with the same approach following Wednesday's practice.

"The players are still going to play, and then things can change as we get closer to game time."

The Jets head coach refused to elaborate further on whether any injured starters would push to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night, and left the door open on the idea that Smith would sit, allowing rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik another preseason start.

"That's something we'll continue to talk about and think about as we go through the next couple of days."

Aaron Glenn planning to play healthy starters in New York Jets' Week 2 preseason matchup

The New York Jets are still easing multiple starters back from injury at this point in training camp, with players like defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat and edge rusher Joseph Ossai, who were inactive for last week's preseason opener against the Buccaneers.

It remains unclear if either of those two projected starters will suit up in Pittsburgh, but Glenn surely wants to see them get some run before the start of the regular season.

The Jets are also still missing two rookies who are expected to have major roles in 2026: tight end Kenyon Sadiq and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds. Glenn said on Tuesday that the goal is to have the two youngsters ready for Week 1.

Having those two youngsters out for training camp is not ideal, obviously. Rookies need as many reps as they can to prepare themselves for the speed of the NFL, and Sadiq and Ponds are not getting those reps. It may make their transition a bit difficult.

Cade Klubnik may be in line for a second consecutive preseason start for New York Jets

All eyes have been on Smith this week, as he continues to work through what Glenn has called a sore ankle. At Wednesday's practice, SNY's Connor Hughes revealed that Klubnik was getting more reps with the Jets' first-team offense.

With Hughes adding the read between the lines GIF, it can be inferred that the Jets are planning on being cautious with Smith and letting Klubnik get a second consecutive preseason start.

Hopefully, Klubnik will get more playing time than he did last week. Glenn left him in for only two possessions, and they were the two best drives of the day for the Jets' offense.

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