Jets coach Aaron Glenn said there is an “open competition” between Bailey Zappe, Cade Klubnik, and Brady Cook for the team’s backup quarterback position.

28 May 2026

Glenn added that Zappe took the second-team reps behind Geno Smith in practice on Wednesday. Zappe has the most NFL experience of the bunch, so that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. It also doesn’t mean he will hold the QB2 job into Week 1. Since entering the NFL, Zappe ranks 78th out of 84 qualified quarterbacks in EPA per play (min. 150 plays). The good news for him is that Cook holds spot No. 84. As a fourth-round pick, Klubnik does have some potential, and his competition for the QB2 job is exceptionally weak. No matter who earns the backup gig, the hope for Jets fans will be that we never see them in 2026.