Jets Holding Backup QB Competition

While Smith is entrenched atop the Jets’ depth chart, there is less certainty behind him. They have three other passers on their roster – Bailey Zappe, Brady Cook and fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik – and any of them could conceivably take the Jets’ No. 2 job. Glenn said Zappe is in the lead right now, but the team will hold an open competition for the role (via Brian Costello of New York Post).

The 27-year-old Zappe joined the Jets on a reserve/futures deal in January. He carries the most pro experience of the Jets’ backup contenders, but that isn’t saying much. The Western Kentucky product has made just nine starts since the Patriots took him in the fourth round in 2022. He posted dismal results over a career-high six starts in 2023, and he did not survive final cuts with them heading into the next season.

Zappe’s ninth and most recent start came with the Browns in a 35-10 loss to the Ravens in the 2024 season finale. He was with the Browns again last year, but as a member of their practice squad, he did not get into any games. Over 15 appearances in the league, Zappe has connected on 62.1% of attempts, thrown more INTs (14) than TDs (12), and recorded a traditional passer rating of 76.0.

Cook was part of the Jets’ class of undrafted rookie free agents in May 2025. He joined Fields and Taylor in making starts for the Jets last season, but it was a rough go for the ex-Missouri Tiger. As Fields and Taylor battled injuries, Cook made four late-season starts and suffered lopsided defeats in each of them. He ended his rookie year with a 57.5% completion rate, two scores, seven picks and a 55.4 rating. As ugly as those numbers look, it’s fair to point out Cook had little in the way of help. A Jets team already sorely lacking in weapons lost No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson to a season-ending shoulder injury weeks before Cook got on the field.

Instead of reaching for a QB in a weak class in the first couple of rounds, the Jets used their top five picks (including three first-rounders) to bolster other areas. They finally addressed the game’s most important position at 110th overall, where they grabbed Klubnik. The Jets traded up from No. 128 for Klubnik, a three-year Clemson starter whose stock dropped during a disappointing final season in school. The 22-year-old looked good at rookie minicamp, though, and the Jets have held off on adding a free agent QB because they want to spend more time evaluating Klubnik.

In the event the Jets ultimately go outside the organization for another backup option, it is worth pointing out the team hosted free agent Russell Wilson in late April. The 10-time Pro Bowler said in early May that he was mulling an offer from the Jets, but he is still available three weeks later.