Jets still have 1 more move they have to make this offseason

When are the New York Jets ever 100% satisfied with their quarterback position? The answer is not often.

For the 2026 season, Geno Smith is the starting quarterback of the team. Head coach Aaron Glenn made it clear that the veteran will be under center in Week 1 to start the season.

But what about behind him? What if Smith gets hurt? Who will the Jets turn to as their "break glass in case of emergency" insurance policy?

As things stand right now, it's probably 2026 fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik. The only other current options are Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook, and Jets fans likely have no interest in seeing either of these quarterbacks on the field.

Should New York, instead of taking the risk of having an overall inexperienced quarterback room, sign a veteran to be their backup?

Jets urged to add veteran backup quarterback to roster

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox gave each NFL team one move they still need to make this offseason, and for the Jets, he claims they need to add a veteran quarterback as the primary insurance policy behind Smith.

"The New York Jets appear to be playing for 2027, a year in which they'll hold three first-round draft picks. Therefore, adding a veteran quarterback to back up Geno Smith might not seem logical. However, the Jets have reportedly already offered a contract to Russell Wilson, indicating that they aren't happy with the idea of having Brady Cook, Bailey Zappe, and fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik as their QB understudies."

Kristopher Knox

The Jets, while certainly needing a long-term plan at quarterback, also can't afford to totally tank their 2026 season.

Glenn's job depends on it. If he pulls out another three-win season as he had in 2025, there's a really good chance he gets fired.

If Smith goes down with an injury, there's a real good chance that the Jets' season could go up in flames. To protect themselves from that situation, a competent backup quarterback addition makes sense.

As Knox mentioned, an offer to Russell Wilson is reportedly on the table, but he's still deciding between continuing his playing career and joining the ranks of broadcasting.

Outside of him, the options are Cooper Rush and Jimmy Garoppolo, another quarterback reportedly weighing retirement.

The options aren't great, but an addition still makes sense. Does Glenn really want to put his job in the hands of a rookie quarterback in case of an emergency?

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