Nick FariaSep 1, 2026
Faria argues rookie fourth-rounder Cade Klubnik has earned and should hold the Jets' backup quarterback job behind starter Geno Smith, and notes that first-rounders Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson are expected to serve as backups in Las Vegas and Los Angeles respectively.
Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original
What Nick Faria said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromCade Klubnik is the right choice to back up Geno Smith
- Where it was published
- Sports Illustrated
- The piece
- Why Cade Klubnik Deserves Jets' QB2 Job Despite Fans' Concerns
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- 1Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart“Fernando Mendoza, the draft's top overall pick, is expected to back up Kirk Cousins in Las Vegas.”
- 2Cade Klubnik to be 2nd on the depth chart“But while the Jets remain confident in Klubnik as the team's QB2... Klubnik did enough during camp and the preseason to earn the backup job.”
- 3Ty Simpson to be 2nd on the depth chart“The Rams are doing the same for Ty Simpson behind Matthew Stafford.”
- 4Geno Smith to be 1st on the depth chart“Cade Klubnik is the right choice to back up Geno Smith”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart1 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Cade Klubnik to be 2nd on the depth chart2 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Ty Simpson to be 2nd on the depth chart3 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| Geno Smith to be 1st on the depth chart4 | Depth Chart Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 4 calls · 4 waiting | — | — | ||||
How each call scored
4 checkable claims — 4 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 4 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 3.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
Fernando Mendoza · 2026 season55 calls from 40 pundits between 1 and 3. Nick Faria said 2. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Their call against the room
Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.
1Depth Chart CallsFernando MendozaLas Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
2Depth Chart CallsCade KlubnikNew York Jets
Cade Klubnik to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Depth Chart CallsTy SimpsonLos Angeles Rams
Ty Simpson to be 2nd on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
4Depth Chart CallsGeno SmithNew York Jets
Geno Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Colin Cowherd · Trade and Signing Calls · Matthew Stafford · Hit 100
Cowherd predicts Matt Stafford stays with the Rams rather than moving on, and says Travis Hunter may underachieve because they're being asked to play both ways — Cowherd doubts they're a No. 1 receiver and would slot them as a No. 2 receiver while being a No. 1 corner.Colin Cowherd · Trade and Signing Calls · Matthew Stafford · Hit 100
Cowherd believes Matt Stafford's public negotiation posturing means he ultimately stays in Los Angeles, and he flags Travis Hunter as a high draft pick who could underachieve because trying to play both cornerback and receiver full-time will hurt him.Rich Eisen · Trade and Signing Calls · Aaron Rodgers · Miss 0
Eisen ranked their top five most impressive Pro Bowl campaigns of the season, topped by Sam Darnold, and predicted that Sunday would be Aaron Rodgers' last game with the Jets.Chris Simms · Score Predictions · Los Angeles Rams · Hit 93
Simms gave a predicted final score for every Week 9 game, picking the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Lions, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Saints, 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Texans, Bears and Bills, and also said they wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game.Connor Rogers · Game Outcome Picks · Los Angeles Rams · Hit 100
Rogers picked straight-up winners in every Week 9 game, agreeing with Simms on all of them, and gave a 24-20 Bills score over the Vikings on Monday night.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
In a Week 9 injury roundup, Moore forecast which banged-up fantasy contributors would play or sit: Deshaun Watson, Garrett Wilson, David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrance Ferguson are expected out, while Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson and Emeka Egbuka should play. They also expect Shedeur Sanders and Drew Lock to start at quarterback.Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.