Cade Klubnik just made the Jets' quarterback room far more interesting

All things considered, simply staying healthy would have marked a successful offseason for New York Jets rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik. 

Unfortunately for the fourth-rounder, things are never that simple. 

Klubnik missed time this week with a back injury, though it is not believed to be serious. 

Thankfully for the Jets, there are no indications that Klubnik will be limited or out for training camp next month.

The injury is nonetheless worth discussing, only because it likely doesn’t impact the Jets as one might initially think.  

What does Cade Klubnik’s back injury mean for the Jets’ quarterback room?

Given the context, our assumption (and, yes, we know what they say about assuming…) has always been that Klubnik was essentially guaranteed the No. 3 spot. 

When organized team activities began last month, Jets coach Aaron Glenn was quick to say Bailey Zappe is the current backup. 

Geno Smith is entrenched as the Week 1 starter. Veteran journeyman Brady Cook also remains on the roster. 

So long as Klubnik is good to go for training camp, his back problem really shouldn’t matter right now. 

The worst part of Klubnik’s injury, though, is missing out on the annual summer workout rookie glazing. 

We don’t mean that as a joke, either, especially not after the Arch Manning and Dante Moore speculation has restarted. 

Jets fans have endured enough quarterback pain over the years that they deserved to see even a handful of videos featuring Klubnik playing well.

Forget whether Klubnik will be a successful NFL quarterback. Organized team activities are a time for overreactions and naive optimism — or, depending on your team, continued cynicism.  

Then again, at least we’re not subject to the “think pieces” about why Klubnik, not Smith, should start against the Titans in Week 1. 

What should the Jets do with Cade Klubnik?

As we’ve said throughout the offseason, the Jets should strongly consider taking the Quinn Ewers approach with Klubnik. 

In other words, Glenn should keep Klubnik as the No. 3 and turn to him either late in blowouts or if the season is lost by, say, Week 15. 

Ewers proved enough in three starts last year to earn the Dolphins’ backup job, despite a regime change and new coaching staff. 

Klubnik could easily set himself up to do the same, though he wouldn’t be able to cash in until 2028 at the earliest. 

With all of that said, the question is still whether the Jets will try adding another quarterback before training camp. 

There aren’t many proven backups left following Russell Wilson’s retirement. The likes of Cooper Rush and Jeff Driskel are best suited for the practice squad. 

Cook profiles as an acceptable practice squad candidate, whether it’s with the Jets or elsewhere. 

For the sake of quarterback-starved Jets fans, Klubnik better get healthy soon. 

As absurd as it sounds, the Cade Klubnik Hype Train is already on the tracks. We don’t plan on getting robbed any further. 

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