Jets may seek backup QB and kicker might get the boot
Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik scrambles during a preseason game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Friday. Credit: Ed Murray
The Jets had major question marks at two positions going into training camp. With camp and the preseason now over, those two spots, backup quarterback and kicker, remain unsettled.
Rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik was penciled in as Geno Smith’s backup. Jason Sanders beat out Cade York for the kicking competition, we were told. In the Jets’ final preseason game, however, Klubnik and Sanders hurt their standing more than they helped it.
Klubnik may be demoted to QB3 if general manager Darren Mougey swings a deal for a more experienced backup or the Jets sign one who becomes available this weekend. Teams have to trim their rosters to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday. Klubnik, a fourth-round pick from Clemson, will be on the team, though. Sanders may be out of work very soon.
Three days after the Jets released York and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said Sanders “won the job,” he might have lost it.
Sanders could have secured his spot in Friday’s 23-6 loss to the Giants, but he was unsuccessful on his only two kicks. He missed an extra-point attempt wide left and his 54-yard field-goal try was well short of the crossbar.
The reality is the Jets’ Week 1 kicker might not be on their roster yet. They could claim one off waivers or have some kickers in for a tryout.
“Am I worried about it?” Aaron Glenn said. “I didn’t like the fact that we missed these field goals, but the thing is we’re not going to panic and we’re going to make sure that we make the right decision to make sure we either fix those issues or we get the right person in here.
“But Jason has been good for us. He’s been good in practice. I’m going to evaluate that and see exactly what direction we’ll go.”
Sanders, whom the Jets signed two days after the Giants released him, hasn’t been great in practice. You could make a case that York had the better camp, although it was close. There were several days when both players missed multiple field goals in practice.
The Jets didn’t have to worry about their kicker last year. Nick Folk missed only one field-goal try and made every extra point. The Jets didn’t re-sign Folk, who inked a two-year, $9 million deal with the Falcons.
Klubnik’s performance was a definite letdown. He was 6-for-13 for 59 yards and one badly thrown interception.
“Overall, not my best ball,” he said.
The Jets gave Klubnik every opportunity to win the QB2 job. After a good debut in which he led two scoring drives against Tampa Bay, he hasn’t been able to push the Jets’ offense down the field.
The Jets have scored once in Klubnik’s last 11 series at quarterback. That was helped by an interception by Marcellino McCrary-Ball on Friday that gave the offense great starting field position at the Giants’ 36. Klubnik didn’t attempt a pass on that drive; the Jets ran it 10 straight times, capped by Chip Trayanum’s 1-yard touchdown run.
The coaches had talked about how much they believe in Klubnik and how comfortable they are with him as the backup quarterback, but Glenn changed his tune after the game.
“Me and Moug are going to sit back and evaluate that,” he said. “Listen, it’s not fair to myself, it’s not fair to him, it’s not fair to us as a team to sit there and make those statements right now.”
The Eagles might be a team to watch if they make Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee available. The Jets had interest in both of them during the offseason. Other intriguing names include Aiden O’Connell, Mason Rudolph, Dillon Gabriel and Sam Ehlinger.
Injury concerns
Several Jets got hurt Friday, including a possible starter and backup. Their unclear status could have an effect on the 53-man roster.
Edge rusher Joseph Ossai, signed to a three-year, $34.5 million contract in the offseason, left his Jets debut with a foot injury. After the game, Glenn didn’t know the severity of it. Ossai began training camp on the PUP list. He had two tackles, one quarterback hit and one pass defended in 11 snaps.
Rookie guard Anez Cooper exited with a shoulder injury and was ruled out right away. If he has to start the season on injured reserve, it will open the door for the Jets to keep a potential practice-team offensive lineman on the 53-man roster or see who shakes free from another team.
Trayanum (neck) was carted off with a neck injury and taken to an area hospital for further evaluation. Glenn said, “I think he’ll be just fine.”
The Jets likely need to add a practice-squad running back after Trayanum and Dominic Richardson both got hurt.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
