Jets Weigh Cade Klubnik Audition After Week 13 Bye
ESPN's Rich Cimini lays out the key questions facing the Jets as they enter the second half of the season.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Football
The Jets, who face the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, may give rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik a chance to start after their Week 13 bye. Klubnik, a 23-year-old fourth-round pick, is the team's primary backup to Geno Smith.
Why it matters
A switch at quarterback would test whether the Jets' rookie can contribute while the team evaluates its long-term needs. The move would also shape how the franchise approaches the quarterback position in the offseason.
Klubnik was drafted No. 110 overall, a move the Jets made by trading up 18 spots from No. 128 with Seattle, the largest such upward move in franchise history for a same-day picks-for-picks trade. Whether that investment translates to game action remains unresolved.
The players
Cade Klubnik
Cade Klubnik is a 23-year-old rookie quarterback selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Geno Smith
Geno Smith is the Jets' starting quarterback, a veteran who has been playing solid football this season.
The details
Klubnik, 23, was taken in April's draft and has worked with the coaching staff through the spring and summer. He told ESPN's Rich Cimini he would be ready "if called upon," while Geno Smith is having a solid season.
Timeline
April 2026: Jets draft Cade Klubnik No. 110 overall in the fourth round.
Week 10, 2026: Jets face the Buffalo Bills.
Week 13, 2026: Jets enter their bye week, after which they play five games.
Season Trajectory
The Jets' possible move to Klubnik comes as the team signals it may push its bridge starter aside to give a rookie quarterback an audition. The change would shape the team's playoff outlook and its approach to the 2027 NFL Draft, where the Jets are expected to select a quarterback early.
If Klubnik starts, fantasy managers and Jets fans will get an early look at the rookie's production against live NFL defenses. Any change at quarterback would also alter how Geno Smith's value is projected for the rest of the season.
The takeaway
Watch how the Jets handle the quarterback position after the bye, since the decision will signal how seriously the team views its rookie. Track Klubnik's workload and results to judge whether he can be a long-term option.
What happens next
The Jets are expected to decide on Klubnik's role after their Week 13 bye, with five games to follow.
Further reading
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