ClutchPoints
Star player Geno Smith is making a strong impression on new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich during minicamp, providing some optimism for New York as they approach the 2026 season. The veteran quarterback is looking to bounce back after a challenging 2025 season with the Raiders, while the Jets are aiming to demonstrate that they can be more than just early contenders for the No. 1 pick in 2027.
Rex Ryan also made an appearance at Jets minicamp, partly because his son, Seth Ryan, is now the team’s passing game coordinator. This added an old-school Jets flavor to the week, but the real focus is on sorting out a roster that is filled with uncertainty.
Two Jets players are in danger of being cut after the 2026 minicamp. The team is not exactly overflowing with proven talent, which makes their roster situation perplexing, and bad teams typically have open spots, and rebuilding teams usually give fringe players longer opportunities.
However, New York finds itself in a unique position. Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich are attempting to build credibility swiftly, meaning that the final roster cannot simply be determined by seniority or past usefulness in other teams.
The Jets need clarity. Smith is confirmed as the starter, but everything behind him feels unsettled, and the receiver group also has several players competing for a limited number of meaningful roles. While minicamp did not determine the final cuts, it did heighten the pressure on players who may be caught in a numbers game or positioned unfavorably on the depth chart.
Two veterans stand out as players who could enter training camp with more pressure than comfort:
Bailey Zappe may currently have the upper hand for the No. 2 quarterback position, but that does not guarantee his safety. This might sound contradictory, but the Jets’ backup quarterback situation is quite muddled.
Glenn has stated that the team intends to create competition behind Smith, and the candidates include Zappe, Brady Cook, and rookie Cade Klubnik. Klubnik missed time in the spring due to back spasms, which temporarily worked to Zappe’s advantage, but that edge may not last.
Zappe’s case is simple: he has regular-season experience, familiarity with NFL offenses, and can provide the coaching staff with a reliable baseline during camp. For a team starting over with a new offensive coordinator, this is important.
However, the issue lies in his potential. New York did not draft Klubnik in the fourth round only to consign him to the bench immediately, and although the rookie’s spring was disrupted, the organization still has a developmental interest in him.
Cook also has enough familiarity with the team to remain in contention, and once training camp begins, the Jets will need to decide whether the backup quarterback position will prioritize short-term reliability or long-term potential. This puts Zappe in a precarious position.
The Jets are not constructed like a team that can justify carrying extra quarterbacks solely for comfort because they need depth at receiver,...
