3 Jets to Watch During Joint Practices With Buccaneers: Cade Klubnik's 1st Real Test

New York fans will want to keep an eye on this trio when the joint-practice action begins.

Cade Klubnik headlines the list of three Jets players who should have fans' attention as joint practices with the Bucs begin. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

When the Jets and Buccaneers take the field to open joint practices on Tuesday, they'll do so with plenty left to prove.

Tampa is coming off a year in which they missed the postseason for the first time in five years. They also have contract questions about their starting quarterback, along with a head coach on the hot seat. New York, meanwhile, has its own hot seat for head coach Aaron Glenn and a young roster that is trying to be better than the three wins they managed to grab last year.

As is always the case with joint practices, each team has players with a spotlight on them with something to prove. Today, we'll go over the three Jets to watch throughout this week's joint practices with the Bucs.

3. Cade Klubnik, QB

The jury is still out on Cade Klubnik. In some practices, he looks like an excellent quarterback with the potential to be even better than his fourth-round draft selection. In other practices are filled with key mistakes.

In short, Klubnik has looked like a well polished rookie: major flashes but obvious concerns at times.

The next few practices against the Buccaneers defense will be an excellent test for him. Throughout camp, the one consistent positive is that the moment hasn't looked too big for Klubnik. Even when he makes a mistake, he doesn't look overwhelmed on the next play.

Will that continue against Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles's exotic blitz packages? Will he be able to accurately deliver passes against Tampa's maligned pass defense?

If Klubnik is going to prove his worthiness of being the immediate backup to Geno Smith, then these joint days of work will be a key part of the test.

2. AZ Thomas, CB

Arguably, the group under the most pressure this week will be New York's secondary. They have gone back and forth with the Jets' offense, but joint practices against Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay's passing unit will be the deciding factor if the group really is improved or if their wins are nothing more than blips on the radar.

Chief among the questions will be whether AZ Thomas can handle himself against Tampa's collection of top wideouts like Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. Egbuka had an excellent rookie season, while Godwin's 2025 was full of injuries.

Azareye'h "AZ" Thomas is facing pressure to show the Jets that he's ready to take the next step in his development. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If Thomas can hold his own, it won't just prove to the Jets he's capable of locking down some of the best receiving corps in football, but also show he's ready to be the full-time starter in his cornerback position battle.

1. Adonai Mitchell, WR

It's been the summer of AD Mitchell for well over a month now. The former Colt has looked like the perfect complement to Garrett Wilson thanks to his route-running and speed. If he's able to put it all together this year, the Jets' offense will be far more exciting than people realize.

This week will be an interesting test, though.

The Buccaneers do not have a true All-Pro-caliber cornerback on the roster. In many ways, their secondary is the weakest part of their team. If Mitchell is going to take the next step in his development and standout summer, he'll need to have a big week against the Bucs.

He's certainly capable of it, especially since Tampa Bay was 27th in terms of passing yards allowed last season. So long as Mitchell keeps up his quality level of play, the Jets' offense will continue to look solid.

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