New York Jets general manager explains trading up for Cade Klubnik

Cade Klubnik is headed to the NFL, landing with the New York Jets after being taken in the fourth round of the 2026 draft. New York didn’t sit back and wait either, moving up in a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to make sure they got their guy. Jets GM Darren Mougey said the team had been high on Klubnik going back to earlier evaluations and stayed encouraged even through a tough final season at Clemson .

“I felt really good about Cade,” Mougey said. “Obviously last year, evaluating all those quarterbacks going into this year, we had good grades on Cade going into this year. You watch him this year – he got hurt early and was playing hurt much of the year, and that team kind of struggled.

But was excited to get around him at the combine. ” That meeting played a big role in what came next, eventually leading the Jets to take a closer look in person. “Had a great combine interview, which sparked us to want to get down to Clemson and work him out and spend some more time with him,” Mougey said.

“We went down there, and it was great exposure being there on campus with him, in the room, talking ball. Felt very natural. Felt like there was a connection there.