Add The New York Post on Google Cade Klubnik’s closing argument was not a convincing one.
The rookie quarterback had a chance Friday night to finalize his case to be the No. 2 Jets quarterback. Instead, Klubnik threw an interception and looked shaky against a Giants defense that had only featured a few starters for the first series.
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Klubnik went 6-for-13 for 59 yards and was picked off by linebacker Zaire Barnes, a former Jets draft pick. He finished the preseason 21-for-34 for 190 yards with no touchdowns and the one pick.
The Jets lost the game 23-6 to their crosstown rivals, but this game was about who is making the roster and settling on the depth chart for the regular season rather than the scoreboard.
Backup quarterback has been a huge question mark for the Jets. Geno Smith has been the undisputed starter since the team acquired him in a trade with the Raiders in March. But it has been a debate about who should back him up. Klubnik has outplayed the other quarterbacks on the Jets roster, Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook. But there is a question of whether Jets general manager Darren Mougey should pursue a veteran either through a trade or if one shakes free when teams cut their rosters to 53 on Sunday evening.
The Jets drafted Klubnik in the fourth round in April after his draft stock plummeted during a disappointing final season at Clemson. He has impressed the Jets with his poise and decision-making, but his inexperience shows. The Jets have to ask themselves if they would trust him to be their quarterback against the Lions or Bears if Smith is hurt.
Klubnik did not inspire much confidence against the Giants. His worst pass came early in the second quarter when he threw an ill-advised pass toward tight end Jelani Woods; Barnes was there to intercept it.
The Jets scored on their first series of the game, but Klubnik did not attempt a pass on the 10-play drive. On the only called pass, Klubnik ended up scrambling.
He had a chance to put more points on the board just before halftime, getting the ball at the Jets 34 with 1:57 left. A pass interference penalty on the Giants moved the ball to the 50. But Klubnik could not take advantage. He had one completion to Quentin Skinner for 12 yards but two other completions were wiped out by penalties. He was sacked on third down, taking the team out of field goal range.
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Running back Chip Trayanum scored a 1-yard touchdown to give the Jets a 6-0 lead on the first series, but kicker Jason Sanders missed the extra point. Trayanum later experienced a scary moment. On the final play of the first half, he was hit and had to be immobilized and taken off the field. He was taken to a local hospital, but the Jets said he was alert and able to move his extremities.
Defensively, the Jets had two takeaways. For the second straight week, they managed an interception after going all of last season without one. Linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball caught a Jameis Winston pass after cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers deflected it. McCrary-Ball forced another turnover, knocking the ball out of Braxton Berrios’ hands. Stiggers recovered that one in the end zone.
The Jets rested almost all of their starters in the preseason finale. Nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat and edge rusher Joseph Ossai were the only potential starters who played and those two have missed most of camp with injuries, so it was understandable why they played.
The game featured mostly players trying to secure their roster spots. NFL teams will cut their rosters from 90 to 53 players by Sunday at 6 p.m. The Jets will then shift into regular-season mode and prepare for the Titans game on Sept. 13.
The biggest questions about the team are backup quarterback, kicker, and depth on the offensive line. Mougey can work the waiver wire after Sunday’s cuts to improve those areas if he chooses. The Jets are No. 2 in waiver order, so they should get their pick of players.
