FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Instead of adding a veteran insurance policy, the New York Jets will enter the season with rookie Cade Klubnik as their No. 2 quarterback.
"He's our backup quarterback and he'll do a good job," coach Aaron Glenn announced Monday, ending months of speculation about the role.
Klubnik, a fourth-round pick from Clemson, is the only backup on the 53-man roster. Geno Smith, 35, will start the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. Bailey Zappe, released Sunday, is returning on the practice squad, a source said.
For months, there were questions about the possibility of adding a veteran backup. They showed interest in free agent Russell Wilson, among others, but opted to go to camp without a proven backup.
Ostensibly, Klubnik, Zappe and Brady Cook competed for the No. 2 job, but it was clear from the outset that it was Klubnik's job to lose. He took all the second-team reps in training camp and received the most playing time by a wide margin in the preseason games.
Klubnik completed 21-of-34 for 190 yards, with one interception and no touchdowns.
Glenn said he and general manager Darren Mougey had "a number of conversations about a number of [quarterbacks]," ultimately deciding to stand pat.
Smith has been durable, having missed only four games over his past four seasons as a starter, but there's risk in having an experienced backup -- especially for a coach coming off a 3-14 season.
The Jets believe Klubnik will benefit from being the No. 2 quarterback because of the extra practice reps. Typically, the primary backup runs the scout team, a bigger workload than the No. 3 (or practice squad) quarterback.
"That was a huge part of it," Glenn said. "And then it's just the confidence in how he operates and what he's done in practice, what he's done in the games.
"I don't think anybody ever said that there weren't going to be hiccups. I mean, he's a rookie, but he's always learning and he's a very intelligent guy. Listen, we're proud that we have him and he's improved over the course of training camp and he's going to continue to improve."
In other news, the Jets will be without edge rusher Joseph Ossai, who tore the plantar fascia tendon in his foot in the final preseason game. He's listed as week-to-week, making him a candidate for short-term injured reserve. Ossai, who signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract in free agency, is expected to have a significant role.
The Jets claimed kicker Blake Grupe off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts. He will replace Jason Sanders, who was named the kicker last week after a summerlong competition with Cade York but missed a PAT and field goal in the final preseason game. Sanders was released Monday.
Grupe, 27, has made 86 of 105 field goal attempts (82%) in his career.
