New York Jets cut Bailey Zappe following a struggling preseason, paving the way for rookie Cade Klubnik to backup Geno Smith as the roster deadline looms in Florham Park.
The New York Jets are in the process of trimming their roster down from the 90 players they were allotted for the offseason and training camp down to 53 players before the start of the regular season.
The Jets have until 6 p.m. EST to trim the roster to 53 players. Head coach Aaron Glenn and his staff gave Cade Klubnik, Brady Cook, and Bailey Zappe one last opportunity to impress the front office and coaching staff in the Jets' 23-6 loss to the New York Giants on Friday night.
Per multiple reporters, the Jets are set to release Zappe.
"The Jets have released QB Bailey Zappe, per source," posted Rich Cimini of ESPN. "This leaves three QBs - (Geno) Smith, Klubnik, and Cook, who could be a practice-squad candidate."
Zappe went 2 of 5 passing for 12 yards against the Giants. For the preseason, the fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2022 went 8 of 13 passing for 80 yards and two interceptions.
The veteran quarterback has made nine starts in the league, with his last coming in 2024 when he was with the Cleveland Browns. He's completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,223 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
The Jets will turn to fourth-round pick Klubnik to back up Smith. Klubnik had a rough finale against the Giants on Friday night, going 6 of 13 passing for 59 yards and one interception.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey said on Friday that he likes how Klubnik is coming along this summer. But the former Clemson quarterback has much to learn.
"Cade's had a good camp. We've seen growth through OTAs, through training camp," Mougey said, via the Jets. "He's got some moxie. He's got poise.
"He's played a lot of college football, but there's nothing like NFL reps. It doesn't matter if you're the number one overall pick, seventh pick, or any position coming to the NFL, there's a lot to learn, especially at quarterback."
The Jets will turn to Smith to start the regular season on the road against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. Smith threw for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions with the Las Vegas Raiders last year.
