The New York Jets might treat Cade Klubnik like the New York Giants did Jaxson Dart in Year 1.
I don't want to make exact comparisons between New York Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
The Giants selected Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jets nabbed Klubnik in Round 4 last week. The Giants took Dart fully expecting him to be their franchise quarterback. The Jets took a Day 3 dart throw on Klubnik.
But you can't help but see some parallels, and I'm not just talking about the fact that both will be playing in MetLife Stadium next season.
Remember: when the G-Men drafted Dart last year, they had also added a couple of veteran signal-callers in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. The Jets have already landed Geno Smith, and they are now apparently interested in — guess who — Wilson.
Is it possible that Gang Green is going to employ a similar strategy to Big Blue?
The Giants had Wilson start the season in 2025, only to have Dart unseat him in Week 4. Winston was then promoted to the primary backup role and ended up starting a couple of games while Dart was sidelined with a concussion.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Credit: USA TODAY Network.The Jets will almost certainly be fielding Smith under center to begin 2026, and you have to think that even if they sign Wilson, Klubnik will be No. 2 on the depth chart.
At some point, Aaron Glenn will have to give Klubnik a chance next season. The Jets traded up 18 spots to get him, after all. Clearly, they have some sort of belief in him, and they'll need to see what they have in the Clemson product before deciding whether or not to snatch a quarterback in the 2027 draft.
It's kind of a sticky situation for the Jets, considering that next year's class is viewed as a loaded quarterback group. Then again, people felt the same way about 2026 last year, and look what happened.
That's why if you're Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, you really want to provide Klubnik with the opportunity to show his stuff next fall. Who knows? He could be the franchise quarterback the Jets have been desperately seeking since ... well ... pretty much forever.
The Giants did a terrific job easing Dart into the mix last year. That's one thing Brian Daboll actually did well. Can the Jets do the same thing with Klubnik?
It remains to be seen, but I would not be the least bit surprised if the Jets use the Giants and Dart as a blueprint for their incoming rookie signal-caller.
Jets Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Jets. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.