Jets offensive coaching staff 'smitten' by rookie QB Cade Klubnik in pre-draft process

Throughout the 2026 pre-draft process, the New York Jets were linked to several different quarterback prospects, given the glaring need they had on the roster.

Arguably, the most popular name was Alabama's Ty Simpson. There were months of debate about whether or not the Jets should take him with the No. 16 pick, or wait and see if he would fall to No. 33. Instead, the Los Angeles Rams would scoop Simpson up at No. 13.

LSU's Garrett Nussmeier was another hot name, and there were reports that the Jets had met with and worked the quarterback out, similar to Simpson.

Of course, when the draft actually rolled around, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was the signal caller the Jets would eventually draft, and it was a shock. Reports between New York and Klubnik were quiet, to say the least.

It turns out that was purposeful, as the Jets had been smitten with the Tigers quarterback. They were trying to keep their interest quiet so as not to raise attention.

Jets' Frank Reich & Bill Musgrave 'smitten' with Cade Klubnik in pre-draft process

ESPN's Rich Cimini revealed on his show the Jets Collective that New York's two offensive experts, offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, were "smitten" with Klubnik during the pre-draft process.

"I think Frank Reich and Bill Musgrave were smitten with him...I know they put a lot of time into it and Musgrave's a guy who doesn't get mentioned that much because, you know, Frank Reich is kind of the guy on offense, but I watched Musgrave in these rookie practices. He's a very vocal guy and it just seems like he's putting a lot, he's challenging Klubnik."

Rich Cimini

The Jets' two biggest figures on the offensive side of the ball, Reich and Musgrave, were clearly behind the Klubnik draft pick.

In all honesty, there's no one else who should've been leading the way when it comes to New York's quarterback search.

As Cimini points out, those two coaches likely have more NFL experience under their belt than anyone else in the Jets building, and their expertise was certainly relied on in the pre-draft process.

"It looked like he might've been changing plays or, you know, putting him in positions to do that, you know, making him think on his feet, and Musgrave played the position a long time. He's coached forever. They have two guys with Reich and Musgrave. It seems like they have a hundred years of quarterback coaching experience."

Rich Cimini

It's a heck of a lot better than what the Jets were dealing with last year, when Charles London was coaching their quarterbacks.

London, a longtime running backs coach, was somehow in charge of coaching up New York's signal callers.

Regardless, Geno Smith, Klubnik, Bailey Zappe, and Brady Cook are all in better hands entering the summer, thanks to the new offensive coaching staff, and if their expertise is to be believed, the Jets may have something here with their new Clemson quarterback.

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