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Some might find it a little surprising that the Jets have not gone out and signed a veteran backup QB, unless they view Bailey Zappe as that guy.
There was nothing wrong with taking a flier on Cade Klubnik in the fourth round of the 2026 draft. He has a lot of raw ability; however, after a somewhat inconsistent career at Clemson, he needs some work, and to have him in the #2 spot, one snap away from playing, especially early in the season, seems like a dubious plan.
Early in practice today, he sailed a quick slant to WR Jamaal Pritchett.
In a 7-on-7 drill later in practice, after not pulling the trigger from the “pocket,” he started running to his right and threw a pass to somebody on the right sideline. I put “pocket” in parentheses because there are no linemen in 7-on-7 drills.
Why run in a 7-on-7 drill? There is no pass rush. Zach Wilson used to do this all the time. It doesn’t make a ton of sense. Go through your progressions and throw to somebody. This is not a QB scrambling drill.
Then late in practice, he took off from the pocket when his first read was not open. He didn’t seem to trust his eyes reading the coverage.
Look, I’m not looking to pick on him. He has a lot of potential, but this might not be an instant coffee prospect. He needs a lot of hone – especially going through his progressions. He is too often fixated with his first read.
“When the first read isn’t there, his field vision is average,” wrote NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein before the 2026 draft.
“He’s a little frenetic at times and needs to calm his feet down,” said former scout Daniel Jeremiah.
So unless they view Zappe as their veteran backup, they might need to go out and look for another one.
A couple of concerns with Zappe are that he is undersized (6-0 1⁄2) and does not have a rocket arm . . .
Even though today’s Jets practice was the first padded one of the summer, the coaches made it clear they didn’t want players being taken to the ground.
Aaron Glenn said he wanted hits with a “thump” but not tackling to the ground.
A perfect example of a hit with a “thump” was early in practice when LB Demario Davis quickly shot into a gap and stopped RB Breece Hall in his tracks for no gain.
After 14 years in the league, Davis’ instincts are superb, and his run fits are outstanding.
Another nice “thump” stop was by second-year linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, who stopped Braelon Allen after about a 1-yard gain up the middle.
Jets rookie defensive tackle Darrell Jackson also had a nice run stop on the line . . .
I was not at Saturday’s practice because I was doing my weekly radio show on SiriusXM, but according to the media stats, Geno Smith was perfect in practice.
“He should retire now,” one observer, who does not do stats, cracked about the QB perhaps out on top after that Saturday performance.
You gotta love those media stats in non-padded practices with no tackling early in camp. Talk about devoid of context.
Early in today’s practice, Smith came back down to earth after his practice for the ages, with a pick on an overthrow down the deep middle to TE Mason Taylor.
The interception was by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and while it was not the most challenging pick since the pass was overthrown, he looked like the veteran center fielder the Jets signed up for on his play . . .
The Jets are likely going to keep four tight ends – Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert and Jelani Woods.
Woods, a 6-7 UVA product, had several catches today, and ran after the catch with an attitude, showing great will.
Of all the Jets tight ends, he’s actually the one most comfortable at this point in Frank Reich’s system, because he played under the Jets’ new OC in Indianapolis in 2022. That was Reich’s last year of a five-year run as Colts coach. Sadiq said during the spring Woods was a big help to him in picking up the scheme.
Woods is very underrated – he’s not just an inviting target with his 4.61 speed and huge wingspan, but is a very good blocker, almost like an extra offensive tackle with his 34-1⁄8 arms and tenacity as a blocker.
Tight end definitely looks like a strength for Gang Green this year . . .
August 3, 2026
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