Geno Smith went down hard at the end of the first half against the Buffalo Bills, landing him in concussion protocol and pushing rookie Cade Klubnik into his NFL debut. This wasn’t just a brief appearance, folks; Klubnik marched the Jets straight downfield for a scoring drive on his very first possession. Talk about a trial by fire!
Geno Goes Down, Klubnik Steps Up
Smith’s exit came after a brutal hit on a third-and-9 with only 25 seconds left in the second quarter. He was sandwiched by defenders Terrel Bernard and TJ Parker, remaining on the turf while trainers rushed to his side. Before the hit, Smith had put up 113 yards, completing 9 of 16 passes, and took one sack. While Smith was later cleared from protocol and returned, the immediate impact was a moment of high tension and opportunity for the rookie.
Klubnik’s Big Moment: A 10-Play Statement
When the Jets came out for the second half, it was Klubnik under center, and he did not waste a second. On his first ever NFL drive, he strung together an impressive 10-play, 61-yard push that resulted in a 22-yard field goal. He showed poise, completing two of four passes for 39 yards and adding 19 yards on two rushes. His first career completion was a 29-yard bomb to star wideout Garrett Wilson. This fourth-round pick out of Clemson had some serious college numbers too, ranking top five in the FBS for completions (855), passing yards (9,426), and passing touchdowns (71) from 2023-25. He earned that backup spot by beating out Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe, and he showed everyone why on Sunday.
What a way to kick off an NFL career. While the Jets wait on any updates regarding Smith’s long-term health after such a hit, it’s clear they’ve got a backup in Klubnik who is ready for the big stage. His quick performance under pressure against the Bills is something to keep an eye on moving forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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