The New York Jets continued their offseason roster construction on Thursday, officially signing fourth-round quarterback Cade Klubnik and seventh-round safety VJ Payne to their rookie contracts. These signings bring the Jets to three officially signed draft selections out of their eight total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with both players now cleared to participate fully in this weekend's rookie minicamp.
Klubnik, the Clemson product who fell into the fourth round before the Jets traded up to pick him, steps into a quarterback room that is crowded yet thoughtfully constructed in Florham Park. With Geno Smith entrenched as the starter alongside Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe, Klubnik's role is defined as a developmental project with long-term upside.
The selection surprised some draft observers, as Klubnik was not widely projected to be a top-100 pick. However, general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn have been clear about their strategy: take calculated swings on players with intriguing traits in the middle rounds. Klubnik boasts plus mobility, a quick release, and the competitive toughness that helped him start two years at Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
During his two final college seasons, Klubnik threw for over 6,800 yards with 49 touchdowns against 18 interceptions, and added 11 rushing touchdowns. He excelled when plays broke down, thriving on instinct and improvisation. The Jets' offensive coordinator Frank Reich has a notable track record of developing quarterbacks who flourish in similar, chaotic passing offenses -- examples include early-career Carson Wentz and Philip Rivers -- making the schematic fit promising.
However, Klubnik will face a steep learning curve. His footwork in the pocket needs refining, and his processing speed against complex NFL coverages remains unproven. The Jets plan to gradually integrate him, expecting him to take a backseat during the regular season while receiving significant reps in preseason and practice squad scenarios. If Geno Smith remains healthy and effective, Klubnik could spend 2026 largely as the third or fourth quarterback on the depth chart, essentially serving as a redshirt rookie. The team is committed to not rushing his development.
Signing Klubnik ahead of rookie minicamp highlights a smooth negotiation process and ensures he can immediately begin learning the offense. Every snap in this non-padded environment counts for a developmental quarterback, minimizing lost ground in early acclimation.
VJ Payne Adds Depth to a Transformed Safety Room
While Klubnik grabs more headlines, seventh-round pick VJ Payne fulfills a pressing need for depth at safety. The Jets' safety room has undergone significant changes in the offseason. With veterans departing and fresh faces arriving, Payne joins a group led by stalwarts Minkah Fitzpatrick, Andre Cisco, and Dane Belton, alongside role players Malachi Moore, Keidron Smith, Dean Clark, and Jarius Monroe competing for snaps.
This is a deep and talented corps, and Payne will be challenged to earn playing time. Seventh-round picks are traditionally long shots, but safety is a position where late-round gems emerge. Payne's immediate value lies in special teams, which will be his most direct path to active roster status. The Jets see promise in Payne's physicality, closing speed, and ability to contribute as a box safety or dime linebacker in sub-package defenses -- roles fitting defensive coordinator Brian Duker's scheme.
Payne's profile is that of an enforcer: he excels in downhill tackling, demonstrates good run instincts, and plays with urgency that can sway short-yardage and red-zone situations. However, his range in deep coverage and man-to-man fluidity remain areas for improvement. Consequently, he projects initially as a rotation player rather than a starter.
The Jets emphasize versatility in their secondary rebuild -- Fitzpatrick and Cisco can handle multiple roles, and Belton has split time between deep safety and slot coverage. Payne provides the coaching staff another option capable of defined, situational roles while they evaluate his developmental trajectory.
Three Down, Five to Go
With Klubnik and Payne now signed, the Jets have locked down three of their eight 2026 draft picks. Their first two selections from earlier rounds and their remaining Day 3 picks beyond Klubnik and Payne are still unsigned. While NFL norms dictate rookies typically sign before training camp, the Jets have taken a deliberate pace so far.
Securing these two contracts before rookie minicamp was a calculated move. It allows both players to participate fully from Day 1--absorbing the playbook, acclimating to position groups, and avoiding distractions from contract negotiations. This approach is essential for a Jets coaching staff implementing new systems on both sides of the ball, especially under second-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
Rookie Minicamp Outlook
The Jets' rookie minicamp, scheduled to begin this weekend, offers the first professional setting to evaluate Klubnik and Payne. For Klubnik, observers will focus on his arm strength, intermediate accuracy, and his ability to read simplified defenses. For Payne, the spotlight will be on communication skills, assignment discipline, and special teams contributions.
Neither player is anticipated to compete for a starting role immediately. Nevertheless, every roster spot is an earned opportunity in the NFL, and both Klubnik and Payne now have a clear runway to compete. The Jets have rebuilt the quarterback room with future development in mind, and bolstered their secondary depth to better match the AFC's high-powered offenses.
Although these rookie signings will not dominate the sports headlines, they exemplify foundational work that sustains the team over time. For general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, the focus remains on long-term roster building -- with Cade Klubnik and VJ Payne now officially part of that plan.
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