Ralph Vacchiano· Aug 3, 2026
Vacchiano expects Geno Smith to remain entrenched as the Jets' starting quarterback while rookie Cade Klubnik has a strong chance to win the primary backup job.
“Smith is entrenched as the Jets' starter for as long as he can keep them somewhat relevant this season.”
published in writing · Fox Sports · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where this call stands in the room
Geno Smith · 2026 season8 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 1. Ralph Vacchiano said 1. 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.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
2 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Depth Chart CallsGeno SmithNew York JetsAug 3, 2026
Geno Smith to be 1st on the depth chart
“Make no mistake: Smith is entrenched as the Jets' starter for as long as he can keep them somewhat relevant this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCade KlubnikNew York JetsAug 3, 2026
Cade Klubnik to be 2nd on the depth chart
“If that continues, he's got a "real good chance" to emerge as Smith's primary backup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Judah FortgangGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100An unsigned PFF top-down betting breakdown argues the Jets will beat the Titans in Week 1, reasoning that Geno Smith should face little disruption against Tennessee's weak pass rush while Cam Ward will struggle against New York's heavy man coverage.
- Bryan DeArdoGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports preview picks the Jets to beat the Titans in their Week 1 matchup in Nashville, reasoning that Geno Smith's track record gives New York the edge in a close, low-scoring game.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
- Gregg RosenthalGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Rosenthal picks Eagles -4.5 over Washington, Bucs +3.5 in Cincinnati, and Steelers -3.5 over Atlanta, and adds extra leans on the Texans, Broncos, Saints and Jets.
- Tyler SullivanGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports piece flags five Week 1 underdogs as upset candidates: the 49ers over the Rams in Melbourne, the Texans over the Bills, the Panthers over the Bears, the Jets over the Titans, and the Broncos over the Chiefs on Monday night.
- Conor OrrGame Outcome Picks · New York JetsHit · 100Orr's Week 1 straight-up picks, including several upsets (Patriots, Buccaneers, Browns, Dolphins, Commanders, Broncos).
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.