New York Jets Steve Serby Cade Klubnik backs up his moxie — and then some — in Jets debut By Steve Serby Published Aug. 14, 2026, 11:56 p.m. ET New York Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik runs up field during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. AP Photo/Seth Wenig So what if it was the Bucs reserves. The Kid was ready. Kid Klubnik was ready.
Cade Klubnik was ready for his preseason NFL debut Friday night when Geno Smith’s sore ankle prevented him from being ready for his preseason Jets homecoming.
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Klubnik was informed Thursday by Aaron Glenn that he would be the starter, and when the moment arrived, with his wife and parents in the MetLife Stadium stands, the boyish voice in his head said: “Let’s go play some football.”
David Bailey, the second pick of the NFL draft, the talk of training camp, didn’t register a sack in his two series against quarterback Connor Bazelak, although he managed to unveil a spin move and stop the run on the first series. And the Bucs double-teamed him into the turf on one pass play. He will be a problem.
