Four Jets With the Most to Prove Against the Steelers
Geno Smith is set to return Friday, but Braelon Allen, T'Vondre Sweat and Cade Klubnik all have real chances to make a statement vs. Pittsburgh.
The New York Jets’ second preseason game should provide a much clearer look at the state of Aaron Glenn’s team entering 2026.
The Jets face the Pittsburgh Steelers Friday night, and several key starters are expected to see action, including quarterback Geno Smith, who missed the preseason opener with an ankle injury.
But Smith isn’t the only Jet worth keeping an eye on. Here are four Jets to watch against the Steelers.
QB Geno Smith
Of course, all eyes should be on Smith. The veteran QB returned to the Jets this offseason after several successful years in Seattle and one forgettable season in Las Vegas. He’s expected to start against the Steelers, giving Jets fans their first look at Smith running Frank Reich’s offense in a game setting.
Smith doesn’t need to play great. The bigger priority is seeing whether the offense operates efficiently and whether Smith looks comfortable in Jets green again.
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RB Braelon Allen
Breece Hall’s groin injury creates a massive opportunity for Allen to prove he can carry the load if Hall misses time during the regular season.
Hall is expected to be back by the opener, but groin injuries are easy to reaggravate. That leaves Allen positioned to be in the spotlight of the Jets’ running game. He made the most of his limited opportunities in the preseason opener, including a 31-yard touchdown run.
Another strong performance could further establish Allen as the Jets’ clear No. 2 running back and give New York one of the better 1-2 punches at running back in the NFL.
DT T’Vondre Sweat
The Jets have been waiting to see Sweat on the field after a hamstring injury sidelined him for most of training camp.
The 6-foot-4, 366-pound defensive tackle recently returned to practice after being activated from the non-football injury list, and if he gets snaps against Pittsburgh, his ability to create havoc in the Steelers’ backfield will be worth watching closely.
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QB Cade Klubnik
Smith may be the starter, but Klubnik remains one of the Jets’ most intriguing players this preseason.
The rookie completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and helped lead two scoring drives while filling in for Smith.
With Smith expected to receive limited work, Klubnik should get another opportunity to build on that performance. Another efficient outing would strengthen his case to be the Jets’ QB2 and provide another encouraging sign for his long-term development.