The New York Jets whittled down their roster to 53 players and kept only two quarterbacks, raising a few eyebrows.
Geno Smith is the starter, as expected. What was perhaps more unexpected was the fact that head coach Aaron Glenn said the Jets are rolling with fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik as Smith’s backup, and as noted, he’s the only other QB on the roster.
Interestingly enough, there isn’t even another QB in the organization after the Jets set their 16-man practice squad. As a result, it’s Smith’s show to run, and if for some reason he loses the keys, they’ll likely end up in Klubnik’s hands.
Yet, some think that’s a recipe for disaster.
New York Jets Entering ‘Tank Mode’?
The Jets aren’t projected to suddenly be a great team in 2026 after finishing 3-14 in 2025. Yet, there’s enough reason to believe that Smith can regain his Pro Bowl form while operating in an offense coordinated by Frank Reich alongside Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr.
However, others believe the team’s QB situation still caps the Jets’ ceiling. In fact, one commenter even said that by naming Klubnik QB2, the Jets are already entering “Tank Mode.”
“They’re in Tank Mode for a QB already😂”
They’re in Tank Mode for a QB already😂
— New York to Las Vegas✈️ (@Yankees44Giants) August 31, 2026
Another agreed, believing the “tank-a-thon” is on in New York.
Even though the 22-year-old Klubnik has played all of zero snaps in his NFL career, one commenter has already made up his mind on his pro prospects, saying the QB “stinks.”
“That’s a huge mistake. Cade Klubnik stinks.”
That’s a huge mistake. Cade Klubnik stinks.
— Kofi (@YourMyBoyBlu23) August 31, 2026
One commenter even came up with a clever nickname for Klubnik, calling him the “Assistant Tank Commander.”
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
Cade Klubnik, Assistant Tank Commander
— Old Balls McGee (@mnbvjhgfuyy) August 31, 2026
Another saw the Klubnik news and quickly responded with, “Tanking!”
Meanwhile, one reaction even included a record prediction for the Jets, suggesting they’ll go “1-16” in 2026.
Ultimately, social media seems to hate this decision. Of course, in a perfect world, the Jets’ backup QB won’t have to play at all this season, except for maybe taking the field in victory formation or in clean-up duty with the team already having the game in hand.
Yet, the public doesn’t seem to think the Jets will get many of those opportunities this season. Others believe there’s a pretty strong chance the Jets will eventually feel like they have no choice but to turn to Klubnik with the season spiraling out of control, and it looks like he has a lot of skeptics early on.
