ESPN analyst Rich Cimini claims that if Cade Klubnik starts for the Jets this season, it indicates a failure in their plans. The Jets aim for a successful season despite not being Super Bowl contenders.
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ESPN analyst makes Cade Klubnik claim that makes no sense for Jets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Jets are not likely to be a Super Bowl or playoff contender this season, but that doesn't mean they won't try to win and have a successful season.
On the offensive side of the ball, one of the hallmarks of a successful season for the Jets would be the production of their rookies, namely Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq. Cade Klubnik isn't as big a factor for the Jets this upcoming season.
But, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, if the Jets wind up starting Klubnik for any period of time, it would mean that something didn't go right.
"But if he's on the field this season, that means something went terribly wrong for the Jets," Cimini writes.
While Klubnik is far from a good quarterback, to claim that something would have to go terribly wrong for him to see the field is a bit of a stretch.
While the Jets surely will have Geno Smith as the starting quarterback for the entire season if they had the choice, it's not out of the realm of possibility for the Jets to turn to Klubnik this season.
Rich Cimini suggests that if Cade Klubnik is starting, it would imply that the Jets' original plans for the season have gone awry.
The key rookie players for the Jets this season are Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq.
The Jets are not expected to be Super Bowl or playoff contenders, but they aim to have a successful season by focusing on rookie production.
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An injury to Smith is a very real possibility, and unless the Jets sign someone like Russell Wilson or trade for another veteran, Klubnik is likely the Jets' best option as a backup QB.
Even if that injury is just for a week or two, or even a single drive, Klubnik seeing the field for the Jets is a very real possibility this upcoming season.
Add in that the Jets might decide to see what they have with Klubnik in the offense at the end of the year if they're not seeing much from Smith, and the fourth-round rookie might have a decent chance to see the field in 2026
Cimini, noting that it would mean something went "terribly wrong" if Klubnik saw the field, is a bit of a stretch. He might not see much playing time at all, but it's well within reality for Klubnik to get on the field in normal circumstances.