Do Jets view Cade Klubnik as eventual replacement for Geno Smith?

A New York Jets team that brought journeyman quarterback Geno Smith back to the organization earlier this offseason raised some eyebrows when it made a trade so that it could select Clemson signal-caller Cade Klubnik in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Understandably, some wondered if Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey view Klubnik as an eventual replacement for Smith. Glenn indicated over the weekend that he isn't thinking about moving on from Smith anytime soon. 

Jets open to starting Geno Smith beyond 2026 season?

"We brought in Geno to be our starter, and I'm not going to put a cap on him on how many years he can play, so I don't even go into the fact of he's here for a year [under contract]," Glenn explained, per Rich Cimini of ESPN. "As long as he's producing and as long as he's the best guy, he's going to continue to play."

Such comments were easy for the coach to make months before he has to worry about preparing for a regular-season contest. That said, many believe the Jets will lose much more than they win through January 2027. If that proves to be the case, fans predictably will want to see Klubnik take in-game snaps and show whether or not he could potentially be a long-term answer at the sport's most important position.

Will Cade Klubnik be given a chance to "push" Geno Smith?

"Obviously, in this league, you have to have a system where there are backups, and they've got to push the starter," Glenn continued. "You always want to create that type of competition. Listen, I'm not going to sit here and say exactly where Cade's going to play. The thing is, those guys are going to go out there and compete. So right now, I like our room. I like where it's at."

The Jets also have 2025 undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook and fellow backup Bailey Zappe on their roster. Either could enter the 2026 season as New York's QB2 behind Smith, but those running the Jets will likely hope that Klubnik is able to win games as even a temporary starter as soon as during the 2027 campaign.