Jets first look at Cade Klubnik was very encouraging for 2 reasons originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The New York Jets played their first game of the NFL preseason on Friday night, and while it resulted in a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there were plenty of good moments during the night. One of the biggest storylines coming out of this game, though, is the play of rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik. The former Clemson QB got his first NFL action, and his performance was very encouraging for two reasons. ESPN's Rich Cimini highlighted one of the reasons why the Jets can be optimistic about Klubnik, as his two-series debut went off without a hitch. But the other reason this was an encouraging game for Klubnik is a bit more under the radar. Cade Klubnik has an encouraging debut with Jets for 2 reasons "Klubnik strengthened the case for the No. 2 job, leading the starting offense to a field goal and touchdown in his only two series," Cimini writes. That two-series debut might've been a little shorter than expected, but there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the offense operating well with Klubnik. He went 5-for-7 for 56 yards passing, including an incredible connection with Garrett Wilson down the field for 21 yards. While he didn't throw for a touchdown, he did hold onto the ball, not throwing an interception or fumbling. The 22-year-old didn't have an unbelievably exciting debut for the Jets, but he did enough to be encouraged by his play. Taking care of the football and being able to make throws on third down is all he needed to do on Friday night. MORE: Why Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson QB competition is taking so long for Browns His on-field performance was obviously a good sign, but the more under-the-radar reason the Jets can be encouraged by his outing is that he was named the emergency starting QB after Geno Smith was ruled out with an ankle injury. It would not have been a major surprise if he struggled a little bit as a late fill-in for Smith. But he played well, meshed with Wilson, and got off to a good start with the starting offense. Instead of running the offense with the No. 2s, he worked with the starters and looked the part. It might've been against the Buccaneers' backup defense, but seeing Klubnik have this be his debut is enough for the Jets to be encouraged by his play. There's still plenty of work to be done, and questions to answer with Klubnik's game. But after his NFL debut in the preseason, things are off to a good start for the fourth-round rookie quarterback. More NFL news:
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