In the New York Jets’ 2026 preseason opener, on a warm and humid evening in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Jets lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24 – 16.
The first half saw the Jets open on defense. The Jets defensive starters shut down the Buccaneers’ offensive backups on the first drive. Cade Klubnik then came out to lead the Jets offensive starters after Geno Smith was a late scratch due to a minor injury. Klubnik led the Jets down the field, connecting with Garrett Wilson multiple times before the drive bogged down and the Jets settled for a short Cade York field goal for an early 3 – 0 Jets lead.
After the Jets defense shut down the Buccaneers offense again, a big punt return by Jamaal Pritchett gave the Jets great field position in Tampa territory. Braelon Allen then went to work, dominating on the ground in a short Jets touchdown drive for a 10 – 0 Jets lead.
Early in the second quarter the Buccaneers finally got something going on offense, driving the length of the field before settling for a field goal after a poorly thrown ball prevented an open Ted Hurst from scoring. That made the score Jets 10, Buccaneers 3. Bailey Zappe then came in for Cade Klubnik and instantly showed why he’s third string, throwing a terrible pick six. Just like that the score was tied at 10 – 10 midway through the second quarter.
A few plays later Zappe threw another interception. This one, however, was the product of a terrible play by Arian Smith. Zappe threw a ball slightly behind Smith, who allowed it to go right through his hands into the waiting arms of a Buccaneers defender. If Smith wants to make this team, that is not the way to go about it.
The Jets tacked on a Cade York field goal as time expired to make the score Jets 13, Buccaneers 10 at the half.
The Jets opened the third quarter with a bunch of third stringers on offense and went nowhere. The Buccaneers third stringers followed with a long, riveting display of UFL level offense as they scored a touchdown against a motley crew of Jets deep depth defenders. The Buccaneers had a 17 – 13 lead midway through the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter the Jets scrubs, led by chief scrub Brady Cook, put together a drive culminating in a 47 yard Jason Sanders field goal. The score was 17 – 16 in favor of the Buccaneers as the clock wound down in anticipation of a scintillating finish for the ages. Where was Chris Streveler when we needed him?
On the next Buccaneers’ possession the Jets backups to the backups had the Buccaneers future insurance salesmen stopped. Then the Jets incurred a 12 men on the field penalty on the punt and the Buccaneers got a second chance. They converted a fourth down and went on to score a touchdown with a little more than three minutes left. That made the score Buccaneers 24, Jets 16 as Tampa put the finishing touches on a 24 – 6 run.
Brady Cook and the Cookettes got two more chances to put points on the board, but came up empty each time. Final score: Buccaneers 24, Jets 16. The loss brought the Jets’ preseason record to 0-1. Now the Jets move on to a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers next Friday.