The New York Jets’ initial 53-man roster has been set for the 2026 season. However, that doesn’t mean the moves are over.

A few days from now, the team’s roster could look different, especially with waiver claims being processed today at 1 p.m. EST.

As teams continue to eagerly submit waiver claims, here are the two positions where New York still needs help after submitting their 53-man roster.

QB

To no surprise, Cade Klubnik was the lone quarterback behind Geno Smith on the team’s 53-man roster announcement. Still, the team could look to add a veteran backup via the waiver wire or free agency.

The trade market also should not be ruled out. Three teams, the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles, have four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.

Cutdown day is a chess game. With roster decisions, it isn’t always “who’s better,” but instead “who has a better chance of clearing waivers?” Those teams may have carried four quarterbacks to shield them from the open market and preserve trade value.

The Jets should look to add an established veteran to the room. Klubnik was okay throughout the preseason. He was not atrocious, but not extraordinary—pretty much what you’d expect from a fourth-round rookie.

Adding a veteran would not damage Klubnik’s development plan at all. If anything, it helps protect him from getting forced into game action if he isn’t ready. It’s important to keep in mind that most fourth-round rookies don’t begin their NFL careers as QB2s.

LB

The Jets’ current linebacker room consists of Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, and Marcelino McCrary-Ball.

Behind Davis, the questions begin to pile up. Can Sherwood bounce back after a lackluster 2025 campaign? Will Mauigoa, a 2025 fifth-round pick, be able to take a second-year leap and emerge as the LB3? Is McCrary-Ball able to offer anything defensively?

Mykal Walker, who was a late-season riser in 2025, is expected to miss the entire season with a knee injury, so losing him is a tough blow for the position’s depth.

McCrary-Ball, who thrived in the preseason, was rewarded with a spot. While he played very well defensively throughout the preseason, he has struggled mightily as a defender in the regular season. The 27-year-old has proven that he is a very solid special teams player with significant limitations on defense.

Given the uncertainty surrounding Mauigoa and McCrary-Ball, the Jets should look to add an experienced linebacker who can provide reliable depth on defense.

A name to keep an eye on is Tyrel Dodson, who was released by the Miami Dolphins and is now a free agent. The 28-year-old has started 43 games over six NFL seasons and finished third among 83 linebackers in Pro Football Focus’ coverage grade (82.9) in the 2024 season, thanks to his three interceptions and zero touchdowns allowed. His play fell off dramatically in 2025, as his coverage grade dropped to 45.4.

Dodson isn’t going to completely revolutionize the trajectory of the room or answer every question, but he gives the Jets a more reliable option at LB3 than they currently have.

While the Jets’ initial 53-man roster is in place, they still need to address a couple of weak points. The good news is that they are No. 2 in the waiver-claim order, which means they have a strong chance of landing whoever they pursue.