The Cade Klubnik hype train just came to an unexpected screeching halt

New York Jets rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik’s arrival at training camp came with two immensely important benefits: high-definition photos of the fourth-round pick and finding out whether Klubnik can truly challenge Bailey Zappe for the backup job.

The Klubnik hype train steamrolled through the first few practices, with teammates and coach Aaron Glenn widely praising the former Clemson standout. Suddenly, social media began speculating that Klubnik could beat out Geno Smith in a nonexistent QB1 competition.

However, Klubnik has finally run into the typical rookie quarterback issues of turnovers and inaccurate passes. SNY’s Connor Rogers is among those trying to bring Jets fans back to reality ahead of next week’s preseason opener.

“You can’t have Geno be one hit away from [Cade] Klubnik having to come in and be an NFL starter right away,” Rogers told the Badlands podcast. “It’s not fair to him, and it’s not fair to the team.”

Should the New York Jets realistically have Cade Klubnik sit behind Geno Smith?

By now, even the Jets fans who haven’t joined the official Cade Klubnik Fan Club understand why he quickly became incredibly popular. Who doesn’t love a Day 3 pick trying to end the decades-long search for a franchise quarterback? 

The problem with a Zappe vs. Klubnik battle is that we don’t know who will be available via trade or free agency following the roster cuts. Perhaps the Steelers try to trade Mason Rudolph and instead turn to Drew Allar as Aaron Rodgers’ backup? In that case, would — and should — the Jets add Rudolph and name him the backup?

There are also the younger quarterbacks still on their rookie contracts. What do Robert Saleh and the new-look Titans have planned for Will Levis? The list transitions into Anthony Richardson and JJ “Nine” McCarthy, and we could keep going for an hour.

Darren Mougey did plenty right this offseason, at least on paper, and that includes revamping the quarterback room. Smith has been remarkably durable since becoming a full-time starting quarterback back in 2022, and Zappe could be a fine one-year stopgap.

Klubnik fits the Jets’ need for a developmental quarterback who could possibly become a starter down the road. Brady Cook is still around as a camp body and likely practice squadder.

In hindsight, it’s interesting that the Jets seemingly never explored trading for a quarterback in the final weeks before training camp. Russell Wilson spurned the Jets and retired, but there were never any credible reports of subsequent trades.

The consensus was always that the trio of Smith, Klubnik, and Zappe would be the primary quarterbacks, and that was rarely an issue or talking point. 

So long as Diego Pavia isn’t the No. 2 quarterback, then the Jets will be in decent shape. Anyone but Pavia.

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