Jets may have only 1 path forward to fix their ongoing Bailey Zappe problem

The New York Jets have a plan at quarterback; we're just not 100% sold that it's a good one. Yes, Geno Smith is the veteran quarterback the team needed this offseason to hopefully stabilize the position, but what about behind him?

New York seems intent on staying the course for now with what they have, prioritizing the development of second-year undrafted free agent quarterback Brady Cook, journeyman veteran Bailey Zappe, and, of course, fourth-round draft pick Cade Klubnik.

Klubnik has gotten the most second-team reps of any quarterback throughout training camp, and even got the chance to start the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He completed five of seven pass attempts for 56 yards and led the Jets on two scoring drives.

But the other Jets quarterbacks didn't inspire much confidence, namely Zappe. He threw two interceptions in his preseason debut, though the second one may not entirely have been his fault.

New York is clearly comfortable rolling with Smith and Klubnik as their top two quarterbacks, but if they want an experienced signal-caller to bring up the rear (specifically to replace Zappe), how would they go about doing that?

New York Jets may be forced to turn to the trade market for Bailey Zappe replacement

At this point in the offseason, there aren't many viable options remaining on the free agent market outside of Jimmy Garoppolo, and after several years of backing up Matt Stafford on the perennial contender Los Angeles Rams, it's highly unlikely he'd be willing to take his talents to the East Coast to back up Geno Smith.

That leaves the Jets with very few options and only one real way to address it. Sifting through the quarterbacks who may be available via trade this deep into training camp.

It's likely not the first time this offseason that the thought of trading for a backup quarterback has crossed the minds of Jets fans. Signal callers with experience like Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, and Andy Dalton have been floated as various options at one point or another on this website.

But the reasoning has since changed. It's become increasingly obvious over the last few weeks that the Jets intend to have Klubnik as their backup quarterback behind Smith. But what if, and this is the worst-case scenario here, Smith goes down with an injury and Klubnik makes it abundantly obvious he isn't ready to see the field quite yet?

What are the Jets going to do, turn to Zappe as their starter? That almost assuredly would end in disaster, as evidenced by the Tim Boyle/Trevor Siemian debacle that almost single-handedly ended New York's 2023 season.

If any NFL team out there has an experienced quarterback on their roster they don't intend on saving as their primary insurance policy behind their starter, Darren Mougey and the Jets should check in and see if they can pry him away with a Day 3 2027 draft pick.

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