Jets take stab at finding quarterback by trading up for Cade Klubnik

The New York Jets took a swing at finding a future quarterback during Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and they traded up for the honor.

During Saturday's fourth round, the Jets sent two 2026 fourths (Nos. 128, 140) to the Cincinnati Bengals for No. 110 and a 2026 sixth (No. 199), using the first pick to take former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.

Sports Info Solutions ranked Klubnik (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) as the fourth-ranked quarterback and No. 104 overall prospect in the 2026 class. The three year college starter's best year came in 2024, when he led Clemson to the College Football Playoff, finishing the season 308-of-486 (63.4 percent) for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. 

Amid a disappointing 7-6 2025 season, Klubnik was 257-of-392 (65.6 percent) for 2,943 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Jets trade up to draft Cade Klubnik as first quarterback of Day 3

Klubnik joins a quarterback room led by veteran Geno Smith, whom the team acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders during the offseason. The Jets' 2013 second-round pick resurrected his career in 2022 with the Seattle Seahawks but is coming off a disastrous 2025 in Las Vegas, where he led the league in interceptions.

Second-year quarterback Brady Cook, a 2025 undrafted free agent, returns after four dismal starts as a rookie, throwing two touchdowns and five interceptions while averaging 144 yards per game during the 0-4 stretch.

In January, New York signed former New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe to a futures deal.

With 64 starts over the past four seasons, Smith is the logical choice to enter Week 1 as Jets starting quarterback. But unless we once again prematurely wrote off the 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, Klubnik should get a look with the first-team offense at some point during his rookie season.

After posting a 3-14 record in head coach Aaron Glenn's first season, New York could easily once again be among the league's worst teams, which would pave the way for a quarterback change as the Jets evaluate their options before the 2027 draft.

If Klubnik gets in the starting lineup, New York should get an accurate gauge of his abilities after spending significant draft capital improving at the skill positions. The Jets used two of their three first-round picks on offense, selecting tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to add to a core that already includes wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall.

As a fourth-round pick, Klubnik won't be expected to come in and earn the starting job out of training camp. And if he does start, it will likely be a temporary gig before the Jets spend a 2027 first on a replacement.

But New York's decision to trade up for Klubnik, particularly when no other quarterback went in Round 4, reveals the team sees something there. He has a whole training camp and preseason to show its enough to win the starting job.