ESPN insider reveals when Jets could start Cade Klubnik at QB during 2026 season

The New York Jets have a lot of new and exciting players on both sides of the ball to watch in 2026. While they might not be a playoff contender, this should be a much more entertaining season than what 2025 gave to Jets fans.

One of the big reasons why is Geno Smith being back as the starting quarterback. While he might not be anything great at this stage of his NFL career, he's much more exciting than Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, or Brady Cook.

But after him comes rookie fourth-rounder Cade Klubnik. He's the backup QB and is sure to see some game action this year. But when? According to ESPN's Dan Graziano , the Jets QB switch could come late in the year, possibly as late as December.

Jets could switch to Cade Klubnik as QB1 late in regular season

"If the Jets fall out of contention and/or Geno Smith struggles, Klubnik could get a late-season look," Graziano writes.

There's no guarantee the Jets will hand the keys to the offense over to Klubnik, but considering they have three first-round picks and are likely to take a QB in the 2027 NFL Draft, it would make sense to see what Klubnik can do.

If, somehow, Klubnik plays lights out to end the season, the Jets might be willing to use their first-round picks to fill out the rest of the roster to build around Klubnik. That's not likely, but they won't know if that's a path the Jets could take if he doesn't start.

But such a start for the rookie fourth-rounder, whom the Jets traded up to get, is likely to come late in the season. Graziano compared Klubnik to Arizona Cardinals rookie QB Carson Beck, who is potentially getting his first start in December.

That would mean Klubnik gets the start coming out of the bye week in Week 14, with matchups against the Denver Broncos , Cardinals, New England Patriots , Minnesota Vikings , and Buffalo Bills to close out the 2026 season.

It's not an easy schedule, but it's all the more reason to give Klubnik a chance to earn the long-term QB position. If he thrives in those games, he'll likely have proven he's worth investing in.

But if he struggles, then the Jets likely wind up with a top pick in the NFL Draft and use it to find their quarterback of the future.

Jets fans should not expect to see Klubnik until very late in the regular season, barring Smith getting hurt or playing too poorly to ignore. Still, the fourth-round rookie is likely to get at least some action, as the Jets really have nothing to lose.