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Since Cade Klubnik seems to be anointed the #2 QB, you could see the Jets try to move Bailey Zappe to the practice squad to also have a veteran backup in the building.
Always good to have a veteran backup in the QB room, not just for insurance, but also to help the starter during the week in preparing for Sunday.
While you have coaches, most people in the NFL will tell you that having that veteran backup QB is always a good thing to have.
Just ask Jim Kelly what having Frank Reich around all those years as his backup did for him in Buffalo.
Rookie QBs aren’t necessarily the best sounding boards for starting QBs, considering they have a limited frame of reference about playing QB on the NFL level . . .
Jets must really like undrafted rookie free agent Chase Curtis.
For the second day in a row, he was held out of practice with some kind of leg issues (he has a compression sleeve on his left leg), but considering they are waiving injured long shots left and right with injury settlements, the fact that he’s still around, perhaps says something.
I have to admit, he’s a lot better than I thought he was. Granted, I didn’t see him play much at TCU, but when a tight end has 36 catches in four years in college, you don’t expect him to be much of a receiver, but he’s actually a very good receiver. Clearly, the Horned Frogs didn’t feature him much in the passing game, because the man has terrific hands . . .
Another “self-faith healing” display today at Jets camp.
This is what I call a long shot getting hurt, but fighting through it to avoid getting waived with an injury settlement.
Guard Xavier Hill came up lame after a play, limping around, but pushed himself to continue in the lineup on the next play, but then limped off. But after some time on the sidelines working with a trainer, he was back on the field.
The bottom line is long-shots can’t afford to get hurt . . .
Speaking of injuries, Jets edge-rusher Will McDonald seemed to ding his left shoulder. He was down on one knee in pain, and a trainer was massaging it a little.
Saw another edge, Joseph Ossai, going to the injury tent for a few minutes, and then gingerly walking away from the tent and returning to the field.
You often hear that the NFL has a 100 percent injury rate, and watching another month of camp makes me realize how true this is.
Everybody is dealing with something . . .
With camp wrapping up today, three quick thoughts.
First off, the Jets offense looks so much better coming out of camp this year, compared to last year – better QB play, better play-calling.
Secondly, the Jets run defense should be much better than last year. Four key veteran D-Line additions are all solid run defenders – defensive tackle David Onyemata and T’Vondre Sweat and defensive ends, Kingsley Engabare and Joseph Ossai. This quartet should help the Jets do a 180 against the run.
Third point – the Jets still have a big pass coverage issue at linebacker . . .
Say Hallelujah – Media QB practice stats are done for the year! . . .
The most powerful man in the Jets organization, who some of you might not have heard of, made a rare appearance at practice today – Ira Axselrad.
A brilliant lawyer and money manager, he is Woody Johnson’s right-hand man . . .
6-4 cornerback Nahshon Wright finally returned to practice today, after missing several weeks with a hip injury.
While he probably shouldn’t start due to his long legs hurting his change of direction ability, he is a heck of a tool to have in a defensive coordinator’s toolbox to use as a situational player, especially covering tall wide receivers and tight ends . . .
Jason Sanders won the Jets kicking competition over Cade York. The tie-breaker was simple – Sanders kicked in the division the last eight years with Miami, so he’s got a great feel for the stadiums in Miami, New England, Buffalo and MetLife.
August 25, 2026
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