The first chapter of the New York Jets 2026 NFL season begins on Friday at the team hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium in a 7 p.m. kickoff in the first week of the preseason.
It is expected that starters will see playing time, but as is usually the case it's not determined how much or who. In a game day decision, head coach Aaron Glenn decided starting quarterback Geno Smith would not play against the Bucs. It is fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik at QB. As always, there is still plenty to watch for during the exhibition season.
Follow along with the action right here with Jets Wire's live blog of the game:
McDonald ends Bucs' start
A good start for the Jets defense. Will McDonald recorded a sack to end the Buccaneers' opening drive of the game.
we see you Will
😤 pic.twitter.com/LcEgTFKZa5
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 14, 2026
Jet
Stream Jets vs. Buccaners (free trial)
Jets vs. Buccaneers start time
- Date: Friday, Aug. 14
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
Jets preseason schedule 2026
- Friday, Aug. 14: Jets vs. Buccaneers (7:00 p.m. ET)
- Friday, Aug. 21: Jets at Steelers (7:00 p.m. ET)
- Friday, Aug. 28: Jets vs. Giants (7:30 p.m. ET)
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets vs. Buccaneers preseason live updates: NFL game score, highlights
