Cade Klubnik facing first major NFL test with upcoming Jets opponent

New York Jets fans of a certain age might remember Geno Smith engineering a game-winning drive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his NFL debut. 

Fast forward nearly 13 years, and Smith is expected to begin his second Jets stint in next Thursday’s preseason opener against, fittingly, the Bucs.

And although Smith never became the franchise quarterback the Jets envisioned, the jury is still out on rookie Cade Klubnik.

Klubnik is likely to play a significant amount in his preseason debut, and the New York Post’s Brian Costello left no doubt about what the coming days could mean for the fourth-round rookie. 

“This is a big week for the fourth-round pick with two joint practices against the Buccaneers on Tuesday and Wednesday and then the first preseason game against Tampa Bay on Friday,” Costello wrote.

What should New York Jets fans’ preseason expectations be for Cade Klubnik?

As of August 8, Aaron Glenn has yet to confirm or announce the Jets’ preseason quarterback rotation. There are no indications that Smith, who turns 36 in October, will sit out the three-game exhibition slate. 

That leaves Klubnik, Bailey Zappe, and Brady Cook, the last of whom is likely destined for the practice squad. Klubnik and Zappe are battling it out for the backup role behind Smith — or, if they’re not, then Glenn hasn’t said otherwise. 

Klubnik began training camp with multiple strong practices, though he’s since encountered the rookie wall. On-site reporters have shared news of multiple interceptions and errant passes.  

Outside of health, the most important things that Jets fans should want to see from Klubnik during the preseason are competency and mental fortitude. 

Let’s start with the latter. How will Klubnik rebound from a turnover or a three-and-out? The Jets must enter Week 1 believing that Klubnik has the mindset and strength needed to survive as an NFL quarterback. 

Thankfully for the Jets, there were no work ethic or character concerns about Klubnik during the pre-draft process. Jets fans shouldn’t plan on him pulling an Anthony Richardson and asking to sit because he’s “tired.”

Competency sounds simple enough, and it’s more than just accuracy or sliding to avoid a hit. Glenn and Darren Mougey need to trust that Klubnik can handle himself if he’s needed at any point this fall. The Jets were not linked to adding a veteran quarterback either via trade or free agency in the final weeks before camp opened. 

Klubnik’s status as a fourth-round pick all but guarantees his spot on the Week 1 roster. But after a brief derailment, a strong showing against the Bucs would get the Cade Klubnik Hype Train back on the tracks. 

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