Rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik made a promising debut in the New York Jets' preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, August 14, 2026. Klubnik, informed he would start just a day prior due to Geno Smith's ankle injury, completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards.
"Let's go play some football," Klubnik reportedly told himself as he took the field with his family in attendance at MetLife Stadium. The outing against the Buccaneers reserves marked his first taste of NFL action.
While the opposing team was comprised of reserves, Klubnik's performance aims to bolster his case for the primary backup quarterback position behind Smith. The notes also mentioned David Bailey, a second-round draft pick, who did not record a sack in his two series against quarterback Connor Bazelak but did show run-stopping ability and was double-teamed on one pass play.