Geno Smith will not play in the Jets' preseason opener on Aug. 14 because of foot soreness, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The decision means Cade Klubnik will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving the rookie an early chance to take snaps in a game setting while the Jets protect their 35-year-old quarterback.
Smith had been expected to see action alongside many of the Jets starters in what would have been his first game action with the team since his departure after the 2016 season. Instead, the team will go with Klubnik, the 110th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, for the opener.
What the move means for the Jets
For the Jets, the immediate priority is simple: avoid turning a minor issue into something bigger for Smith. Foot soreness is not the kind of injury that usually creates long-term panic on its own, but it is enough to keep a veteran out of a preseason game when the team has nothing to gain by pushing him.
The bigger storyline now shifts to Klubnik. The Jets are hoping to tap into the talent that once made him one of the top prospects in the 2026 class, even after his play in the 2025 season caused his draft stock to drop from a first-round projection to the fourth round. A preseason start will not define his future, but it does give the Jets a useful first look at how he handles NFL speed, structure and pressure.
That is why the preseason opener matters beyond the score. It is a chance for the Jets to see a rookie quarterback in game action, while also preserving the health of the player they expect to lean on more heavily once the regular season starts.
Why this matters now
Preseason decisions often tell you more about a team's priorities than its playbook. In this case, the Jets are choosing caution with Smith and opportunity with Klubnik. That combination makes sense in August, especially when the goal is to build toward the 2025 season without unnecessary risk.
If Smith is cleared later, the Jets can still get the live reps they expected him to take with the starters. For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Klubnik, and the Jets will get a look at how he responds when the game plan turns real.
