It’s June, the quietest month of the NFL calendar, which means it’s “rankings season” around the league.

This is the time of year when we complain about (or defend) the rankings that the national media gives the New York Jets on various lists, whether it’s pertaining the team as a whole, certain units, or individual players.

The Jets have received some dubious rankings recently, including very low placements on ESPN’s FPI rankings and a ranking of defensive trios. Now, they’ve been placed 32nd on a list that often makes or breaks NFL seasons.

In a ranking of backup quarterbacks around the league, SI placed the Jets 32nd, with rookie Cade Klubnik chosen as the penciled-in backup.

It’s a fair ranking. Klubnik is a fourth-round rookie and should not be expected to perform competently if thrown into the fire as a backup in 2026. If the Jets do not elect to go with Klubnik as their QB2, the other options currently on the roster are Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe, who have both thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in their NFL careers.

Across 15 NFL games for the Patriots and Browns, Zappe, 27, has completed 62.1% of his passes for 2,223 yards (6.6 per attempt), 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, posting a 76.0 passer rating.

Cook, 24, signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri in 2025. Across five appearances late in his rookie year, Cook completed 57.5% of his passes for 739 yards (4.8 per attempt), 2 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, finishing with a 55.4 passer rating.

The Jets, though, seem to be high on Klubnik. They traded up in the fourth round to secure his services, and early returns have been positive since he arrived in Florham Park. Starting quarterback Geno Smith raved about Klubnik’s preparation, saying that Klubnik has “been preparing as if he’s going to be the starter.”

Realistically, Jets fans should keep their expectations for Klubnik in check for the 2026 season, but optimism around the Clemson product is steadily increasing in Florham Park. Klubnik’s performance in training camp, especially as he competes against Cook and Zappe, will tell us a lot about where he stands in his development entering his rookie year.