The New York Jets have been prepping for their exhibition season opener for weeks now as the team will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday at 7 p.m. at MetLife Stadium.
It must be taken with a grain of salt, but after a few weeks of practice at training camp, the coaching staff led by Aaron Glenn has put together their first unofficial depth chart of the 2026 NFL offseason.
The listing is not always the truth, but taking a quick scan and taking notes of the unofficial depth chart is always worth your time. But we've got you covered anyway.
With that, here are Jets Wire's four quick takeaways from the first unofficial depth chart of 2026:
Jets’ first unofficial depth chart:#JetUp pic.twitter.com/Te7nQEKhl3
— SleeperJets (@SleeperJets) August 10, 2026
Klubnik at QB2
The backup quarterback position behind
Geno Smith is up for grabs between Bailey Zappe and fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik. Throughout the summer, Klubnik has caught more attention than Zappe and rightfully so, he has looked the part.
Throughout some position battles, there will be two players listed either as starter or backup so no determination is made through the depth chart. That's not the case at backup quarterback as Klubnik is outright listed as the second string.
Safety position up for grabs
Speaking of multiple players in only spot on the depth chart, no position is more up for grabs than safety.
Minkah Fitzpatrick sits alone in one starting spot. In the other we have three: Andre Cisco, Dane Belton and Malachi Moore. The whole trio and listed as the backups as well.
A wide-open position battle to watch.
Rookies need to earn it
Kubnik's status as QB2 was important to note on its own. Regarding the rest of the Jets' rookies, it's clear head coach Aaron Glenn is using the depth chart to send a message to every first-year pro that they will have to "earn it."
Essentially every other rookie, including top draft pick David Bailey, is currently listed as a second stringer. That is the case despite Bailey seriously impressing during training camp.
Backup RB
Breece Hall is the clear top running back for the Jets. He will not be on the field for every play. Who will spell him? Right now the answer is Braelon Allen as he is listed as the No. 2 rusher.
Davis was named by ESPN as an under-the-radar player that Glenn appears to like. But in fairness, he is currently sideline because of injury.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 4 quick notes from the Jets' first unofficial depth chart of 2026
