Jets predicted to follow AFC East rivals’ lead with Cade Klubnik

For New York Jets rookie Cade Klubnik to prove he can become a franchise quarterback, he might want to root against teammate Geno Smith.

Such is life in the NFL, especially when the Jets are continuing their decades-long search for a game-changing quarterback.

In a recent 2027 mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski predicted that the Jets will earn the No. 1 pick and select Texas star Arch Manning.

That in itself isn’t surprising, but what caught our eye was Sobleski’s analysis of the Jets’ current quarterback situation.

Sobleski said he believes that Smith, who turns 36 in October, isn’t the “solution” at quarterback. No arguments there, even more so given the Jets’ three first-round picks next year.

Interestingly, Sobleski proposed that the Jets could turn to Klubnik if or when they’ve seen enough of Smith.

The Jets must start Cade Klubnik if they eventually bench Geno Smith

With Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook still on the roster, Klubnik faces an uphill challenge to even earn the backup role.

However, the thought of replacing Smith with Klubnik in, say, Week 15, isn’t entirely without reason.

Just ask the Dolphins. Rather than turn to Zach Wilson last December, Miami started Quinn Ewers for the final three games.

Although the new Dolphins regime signed Packers quarterback Malik Willis, Ewers is all but assured of the backup role.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn reiterated this past week that there is an open competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot.

It is unclear whether Klubnik has a realistic chance of winning that battle. Zappe is currently the No. 2 and remains the overwhelming favorite to remain there.

Outside of the now-retired Russell Wilson, the Jets have not been linked to any veteran quarterbacks.

Giving Klubnik a late-season start or two wouldn’t necessarily prevent the Jets from drafting Manning or Dante Moore.

If anything, that’d be the smartest play if the 2027 quarterback class isn’t what the football world expects.

At this time last year, the trio of Manning, Moore, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers were consensus first-round picks.

All three returned to school, with Manning and Sellers battling through inconsistency. Only two quarterbacks — Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson — went in the first two rounds.

Depending on how things play out, Klubnik could easily find himself as at least a stopgap starter next year.

From there, as we once saw with Kirk Cousins in Washington, Klubnik might have the opportunity to earn the full-time job — and the financial perks that come with it.

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