The New York Jets took a swing at discovering a future quarterback throughout Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, they usually traded up for the honour.
Throughout Saturday’s fourth spherical, the Jets despatched two 2026 fourths (Nos. 128, 140) to the Cincinnati Bengals for No. 110 and a 2026 sixth (No. 199), utilizing the primary decide to take former Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Sports Info Solutions ranked Klubnik (6-foot-2, 207 kilos) because the fourth-ranked quarterback and No. 104 general prospect within the 2026 class. The three yr school starter’s greatest yr got here in 2024, when he led Clemson to the School Soccer Playoff, ending the season 308-of-486 (63.4 p.c) for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Amid a disappointing 7-6 2025 season, Klubnik was 257-of-392 (65.6 p.c) for two,943 yards, 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Jets commerce as much as draft Cade Klubnik as first quarterback of Day 3
Klubnik joins a quarterback room led by veteran Geno Smith, whom the workforce acquired in a commerce with the Las Vegas Raiders throughout the offseason. The Jets’ 2013 second-round decide resurrected his profession in 2022 with the Seattle Seahawks however is coming off a disastrous 2025 in Las Vegas, the place he led the league in interceptions.
Second-year quarterback Brady Cook dinner, a 2025 undrafted free agent, returns after 4 dismal begins as a rookie, throwing two touchdowns and 5 interceptions whereas averaging 144 yards per recreation throughout the 0-4 stretch.
In January, New York signed former New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe to a futures deal.
With 64 begins over the previous 4 seasons, Smith is the logical option to enter Week 1 as Jets beginning quarterback. However until we as soon as once more prematurely wrote off the 2022 Related Press Comeback Participant of the 12 months, Klubnik ought to get a glance with the first-team offense sooner or later throughout his rookie season.
After posting a 3-14 document in head coach Aaron Glenn’s first season, New York might simply as soon as once more be among the many league’s worst groups, which might pave the way in which for a quarterback change because the Jets consider their choices earlier than the 2027 draft.
If Klubnik will get within the beginning lineup, New York ought to get an correct gauge of his talents after spending important draft capital enhancing on the ability positions. The Jets used two of their three first-round picks on offense, deciding on tight finish Kenyon Sadiq and broad receiver Omar Cooper Jr. so as to add to a core that already consists of broad receiver Garrett Wilson and working again Breece Corridor.
As a fourth-round decide, Klubnik will not be anticipated to return in and earn the beginning job out of coaching camp. And if he does begin, it would seemingly be a short lived gig earlier than the Jets spend a 2027 first on a alternative.
However New York’s choice to commerce up for Klubnik, notably when no different quarterback went in Spherical 4, reveals the workforce sees one thing there. He has an entire coaching camp and preseason to indicate its sufficient to win the beginning job.
