American football is back in the Meadowlands.
Painted white lines, field goal posts and more were on the stage for the first time in a long time after the 2026 FIFA World Cup dominated the summer scene at MetLife Stadium. On Aug. 14, the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers treated fans – and plenty of gray stadium seats – to the traditional type of football on U.S. soil.
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And the teams had different ideas about how to approach the preseason opener.
The Jets elected to play the starters to open things up, while the Bucs decided that protecting key pieces like Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving and others was more important.
However, the Jets were also dealt a blow during the countdown to kickoff, when it was revealed that Geno Smith would sit out with a sore foot. Instead of a homecoming for Smith, it turned into a pro debut for Cade Klubnik – the rookie out of Clemson.
Neither side was going to announce themselves as Super Bowl contenders in Week 1 of the preseason. That doesn’t mean that we didn’t learn a few things, however.
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Here are some takeaways and instant analysis from the first half of the Jets and Bucs preseason contest.
Jets vs. Buccaneers instant analysis, takeaways
Cade Klubnik looked the part
Poised. Comfortable. Those are the two words that come to mind when you watch Klubnik in his first NFL action. The rookie made 40 starts in college and played in some hostile environments – something he clearly wasn’t up against on Friday night.
However, Klubnik wasn’t fazed by the step up in class. That was on full display with his first third-down throw of the night.
Klubnik climbed the pocket and delivered a 21-yard completion to Garrett Wilson. Was it a perfectly accurate ball? No. Wilson had to work for the catch, but the rookie identified his best receiver and found him.
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Football doesn’t have to be hard and Klubnik seemed to know that.
He has the presence of mind to throw the ball away when faced with no options outside of the pocket and didn’t force the issue.
No one is rushing to make Klubnik the starter, but his play was certainly encouraging.
David Bailey’s presence was a factor
Bailey was in the headlines all week long following some joint practice drama. It appeared the Bucs didn’t forget about him in the early going.
The No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft didn’t record a sack against Tampa’s backups, but he was doubled on the first play of the game. More importantly, he was credited with one QB pressure and one tackle in just eight snaps, while opening the door for a sack from Will McDonald.
Of course, everyone will want to see some gaudy numbers from a player expected to be a star. Remember, more attention on Bailey means less attention on other players, which raises the ceiling for the Jets’ defense.
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The numbers will come.
Remember the name: Ted Hurst
Hurst was targeted six times in the first half and recorded just two catches for 19 yards. That doesn’t tell the whole story though.
The rookie out of Georgia State was open for an easy touchdown in the end zone, which was broken up thanks to a throw that arrived too late.
He had another catch wiped off the board because of a drop, but the third-round pick had no issues getting open – even against some of the Jets’ starting defense.
He figures to be behind Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan on the depth chart for the time being.
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Don’t be surprised if he starts moving into a bigger role over time. Now is the time to start buying stock.
Backup Bucs are a problem (and not in a good way)
It’s cliché, but also a fair assessment here.
Tampa didn’t play the starters or many of the key backups either. That makes it almost impossible to draw any real conclusions about the team heading into the season and that’s most likely by design.
Then again, if the Bucs are turning to Connor Bazelak to play quarterback at any point in the season, something has gone horribly wrong.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jets vs. Buccaneers instant takeaways: Cade Klubnik poised, David Bailey a factor
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