Overview
- Klubnik struggled in the preseason finale, completing 6 of 13 passes for 59 yards, throwing one interception and enduring four sacks in a game that finished his preseason at 21-for-34 for 190 yards with no touchdowns.
- Offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave have publicly backed the rookie and pointed to the experienced QB room as support for his development.
- The Jets remain free to change course because NFL teams must trim rosters to 53 players by Sunday and New York holds the No. 2 waiver priority to claim any veterans who are released.
- Klubnik’s strong training-camp reps and an extended appearance against Pittsburgh had made him the leading internal candidate, but his shaky final game raised fresh questions about his readiness to start if Geno Smith were injured.
- The coming two days will determine whether the Jets stay with a rookie backup and rely on coaching support or use waivers or a trade to add a veteran, a choice that will affect the roster composition and who the team can protect on the practice squad.