Al Iannazzone: Jets need a proven backup quarterback behind Geno Smith
Jets quarterback Geno Smith. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig
Aaron Glenn was adamant during the week that “everybody’s playing” in the Jets’ preseason opener. Well, not everybody. Starting quarterback Geno Smith was a late scratch for Friday’s game against Tampa Bay because of a sore ankle.
Maybe it’s nothing and the Jets are just being cautious, which would be the prudent way to handle it. The Buccaneers sat their starters, so it made no sense to potentially put Smith in harm’s way against players who are trying to make the team and show they belong.
“Nothing to be alarmed about,” Glenn said about Smith and labeled him “day to day.”
Smith is 35 and has been around the block a few times. This is his second time in the green and white after a failed first stint with the Jets. This season hinges on a few things, and one is the play of Smith 2.0.
The Jets really don’t have a backup plan if anything happens to Smith. Their QB2 right now is rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik, who started and led the Jets on two scoring drives in his only two series.
Klubnik was 5-for-7 for 56 yards. He left with the Jets up 10-0 on Cade York’s 27-yard field goal and Braelon Allen’s 31-yard touchdown run. Tampa Bay won, 24-16.
After Klubnik, it’s Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook. Zappe threw interceptions on his first two series on Friday night, including a pick-6, but was 6-for-10 for 55 yards. Cook was 9-for-15 for 108 yards. We all saw enough from Cook last year to know he’s not going to be around too long. Remove Smith from the equation, and the Jets’ quarterback room has played a total of 20 NFL games with 13 starts.
This is no knock on Klubnik, but it’s never too early for the Jets to start thinking about adding a proven veteran. Those conversations already have taken place inside the Jets’ offices. It would be surprising if they don’t add one for insurance purposes after the preseason. Glenn should be pushing for it.
That quarterback room is not impressive. Glenn’s job is on the line this season. He needs all the insurance he can get.
Maybe it really is nothing with Smith — who hadn’t missed any time in training camp practices — and the Jets just wanted to take a longer look at Klubnik. There would be nothing wrong with that. The Jets are high on Klubnik and absolutely need to see what they have in him and whether the former Clemson standout can be a long-term solution.
The Jets have three first-round picks next year in a quarterback-deep draft. Even if Klubnik is worth keeping around and developing, the Jets have to take a quarterback next year, too, and really build up that quarterback room.
“The way quarterbacks are in the league, he’s like a carbon copy of what I feel like they would put out,” Garrett Wilson said of Klubnik. “He’s got it all. I’m excited to see him. Every day it’s like he gets a little bit more comfortable, just knowing the speed of things. It’s the first time going against another defense . . . But man, he definitely flashes.”
It was Klubnik’s first time operating behind the starting offensive line and throwing to first-team receivers. He had 12 snaps with the starters and 16 overall. Klubnik showed poise and mobility, stepping up and making a big third-down throw to Wilson — who made a terrific leaping grab — for a 21-yard gain on the Jets’ first series.
This is something to build on for Klubnik and the Jets. He should keep getting important preseason reps, but the Jets also should be looking for a veteran backup — if they aren’t already.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
