The New York Jets have just completed two days of joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now they wait until Friday when both teams meet in their first preseason game at MetLife Stadium. While it's unknown if the Buccaneers intend to play their starters, Aaron Glenn told reporters after Tuesday's practice that he intends to play his starters for at least a series.
While it's unknown if the Buccaneers intend to play their starters, New York head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters after Tuesday's practice that he intends to play his starters for at least a series.
There are key position battles for the Jets heading into this one. While it's doubtful that one preseason game will determine who wins a starting spot, there are plenty of players on the Jets roster that will look to make a name for themselves and make Glenn's decision more difficult during final roster cuts.
For the preseason, instead of focusing on matchups between both teams, we will focus on a few key position battles currently playing out in training camp.
Here are Jets Wire's three key matchups to keep an eye on as the Jets face Tampa Bay on Friday:
Mason Taylor vs. Jelani Woods
The Jets suffered a minor blow in training camp with news that first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq will most most of the preseason as he recovers from a sports hernia procedure. But, the Jets have solid depth at the position with the return of Taylor, last year's second-round pick. Taylor had a good rookie year with 44 receptions before a neck injury cost him the last four games of the season. He's made some plays in camp, including a few red-zone touchdowns during this week of joint practices with the Bucs. He'll most likely be the starter if Sadiq does not return before the team's first game in Tennessee.
Woods has plenty of size at 6'7, 253 lbs. and has plenty of familiarity with offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who coached him in Indianapolis. He should receive the bulk of the work in Friday's game as the Jets may not want to risk an injury to Taylor with Sadiq already sidelined. It's highly unlikely the Jets will carry four tight ends on the final roster, so the odds are stacked against Woods with Sadiq, Taylor and a recently re-signed Jeremy Ruckert. But Woods could make things interesting with a solid performance on Friday potentially giving the Jets an embarrassment of riches at a position they have ignored for far too long.
Jason Sanders vs. Cade York
After fan favorite Nick Folk signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, the Jets immediately pivoted to York, the former Cleveland Brown, as his replacement. York only has one full season on the books in Cleveland where he made 24 of 32 field goals and struggled from long distance, going 10 for 15 from between 40-50+ yards. Not exactly the kicker Jets fans would prefer to replace Folk, but let's give special teams coordinator Chris Banjo the benefit of the doubt after what he did with this unit last year.
After York struggled a little bit during OTA’s, the Jets signed Sanders off the Giants practice squad right before the start of mandatory mini-camp. Sanders missed all of the 2025 season after suffering a hip injury during warmups before a preseason game. The competition has brought out the best in York as he’s been much improved from long range in camp. One preseason game won't determine who the team's kicker will be this season, but that doesn't mean it's still not important. A couple of missed field goals by either kicker in this game while judging the overall body of work in the preseason could be the difference between landing the job and being a final cut.
Cade Klubnik vs. The Field
No, this isn't Klubnik against the turf at MetLife Stadium. Klubnik enters Friday's game as Geno Smith's primary backup. Whether he stays there is entirely up to him.
While there are plenty of people who have no issue with Klubnik being the team's backup quarterback, there are other people who prefer the Jets acquire a veteran as better insurance in case Smith gets hurt. Klubnik has been adequate early in training camp, making some nice throws, but also having his rookie moments. But, the Jets have a lot of confidence in him, which is why they didn't entertain bringing in a veteran backup to begin with.
Smith will play on Friday, but most likely for only a series or two. Klubnik should see most of the snaps in the first half, perhaps against some of Tampa's starting defense. He doesn't have to be electric in his first appearance, he just needs to be competent moving the football and try to avoid turnovers. While Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook are also in the mix, this feels like Klubnik's job to lose. The first game is always the toughest. As long as he plays smart and doesn't take unnecessary risks, Klubnik should be fine.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets vs. Buccaneers: 3 key matchups to watch in preseason opener