Bailey Zappe has all but guaranteed his spot off the Jets’ Week 1 roster

As recently as a month ago, there remained a sense that Bailey Zappe, not Cade Klubnik, would be the New York Jets’ backup quarterback in Week 1.

If the last two weeks are any indication, then we’d be surprised if Zappe even landed on the Jets’ practice squad. The former Patriots quarterback had an ugly preseason opener last weekend and looked uncomfortable against the Steelers on Friday night, though he finished 6-of-8 for 68 yards and no turnovers. 

So much for Zappe becoming the next Mac Jones, huh?

Bailey Zappe has played his way off the New York Jets’ roster

For the sake of conversation, let’s assume that Klubnik will indeed be the backup behind Geno Smith. In theory, the Jets could opt to carry only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, as the revised roster rules allow a practice squad player to enter the game as an emergency quarterback if needed.

But given Smith’s age and Klubnik’s inexperience, the Jets are better off seeing which veterans become available either via final cuts or trades. We saw enough of Brady Cook over the final month last year to know that he’s not a viable backup, either. There’s a reason why they’re called “emergency” quarterbacks.

We’ve previously argued the pros and cons of several quarterbacks who could potentially be trade targets, most recently the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy. Even before the preseason kicked off, Zappe most likely wouldn’t have wanted to read through some of those names.

If the Jets are truly intent on contending this year, then why keep Zappe as the No. 3 quarterback? He didn’t do enough over the offseason to create any legitimate competition between him and Klubnik for the backup spot. In fact, Klubnik arguably arrived at training camp as the de facto No. 2 despite being a fourth-round pick.

Whether the Jets always intended for Klubnik to be the backup is unclear. In hindsight, their apparent 'Russell Wilson or nothing' mindset suggests that whichever rookie they drafted was slated to serve in the No. 2 spot, and the front office would re-evaluate only if the newcomer struggled in camp.

Zappe had his brief moments with the Patriots, and it’s become incredibly difficult to write most quarterbacks off entirely. Consider that Nathan Peterman, of all people, was on a practice squad as recently as 2024. Common sense dictates most teams would rather have had Zappe than Peterman, even before the latter retired earlier this year.

Teams must officially submit their roster cuts by next Sunday night, and we’ll have a far better idea of who the Jets could turn to as a third-string quarterback. But barring a rash of injuries, don’t plan on Zappe holding that role come Week 1. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow