Jets urged to make backup QB decision 'soon' before time runs out

Jets urged to make backup QB decision 'soon' before time runs out originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets are going to start Geno Smith this upcoming season as their quarterback, and barring injury, he should be the starter all season long.

But it's still important to have a good backup, and while there is some optimism about what Cade Klubnik could look like, the Jets could decide to find a new QB2 before the season starts.

If they do decide to add such a player, ESPN's Rich Cimini is urging they do so "soon" before time runs out, and the regular season begins in just a few weeks.

Jets urged to find a backup QB 'soon' if they don't want to stick with Klubnik

"The organization will probably choose Klubnik as Geno Smith's backup," Cimini writes. "If the Jets explore outside options, now would be the time."

After the second preseason game, the Jets only have one more week to go before their preseason is over, and final 53-man roster cutdowns are here.

The QB position is very important, as the Jets could easily decide to find a veteran to become the new second-string quarterback on the roster if there's still some uncertainty with Klubnik.

He threw for 74 yards on 10-of-14 passing attempts in the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It wasn't an overly impressive performance, but it wasn't terrible either.

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It was similar to his first outing this year in the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he went 5-for-7 with the starting offense, throwing for 56 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Jets could determine that Klubnik isn't ready to be the No. 2 QB and turn to a veteran either by trade, free agency, or a waiver claim after roster cutdowns.

But if they do make such a decision, it needs to come soon, as they can't drag this QB2 decision out much longer with roster cutdowns not too far away.

Klubnik is likely to stay as the QB2 on this roster, but the Jets, as Cimini is urging, need to make their decision soon to prepare for the preseason finale and the regular season that's right around the corner.

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