The New York Giants and New York Jets conclude their 2026 NFL preseason schedules tonight at MetLife Stadium. One of the biggest questions surrounding the matchup is who will start at quarterback for each team.
Giants vs. Jets Starting Quarterbacks
The expected starting quarterbacks are:
- New York Giants: Jaxson Dart
- New York Jets: Cade Klubnik
Dart is projected to lead the Giants’ opening offense, although head coach John Harbaugh had not officially confirmed his final plan for the starters. Klubnik is expected to start for the Jets while veteran Geno Smith sits out the preseason finale.
Will Jaxson Dart Start for the Giants Tonight?
Jaxson Dart is the Giants’ projected starter against the Jets, but his participation remained uncertain during the buildup to the game.
Harbaugh said he was still considering whether to play Dart and the rest of the first-team offense. The coach must balance the value of additional live-game repetitions against the injury risk that comes with playing established starters in the final preseason contest.
If Dart starts, he may receive only limited playing time before the Giants turn the offense over to their backup quarterbacks.
Cade Klubnik Expected to Start for the Jets
Cade Klubnik is expected to start at quarterback for the Jets. The rookie will receive an extended opportunity to demonstrate that he is ready to serve as Geno Smith’s primary backup.
Smith is not expected to play. That allows the Jets to evaluate Klubnik and their other reserve quarterbacks before finalizing the roster.
Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe could also see action as they compete for a possible roster or practice-squad position.
Giants vs. Jets Game Information
- Matchup: New York Giants vs. New York Jets
- Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: MetLife Stadium
- Television: NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 in the local market
- Streaming: Giants.com and the Giants mobile app in-market
What to Watch in Giants vs. Jets
The quarterback situations will be among the game’s most important storylines.
For the Giants, any snaps Dart receives will provide another look at his progress in Harbaugh’s offense. If the starters are held out, attention will shift to the reserve quarterbacks and players competing for the final offensive roster spots.
For the Jets, the game is an important test for Klubnik. A strong performance would reinforce his position behind Smith and give the coaching staff greater confidence in its quarterback depth.
Final Giants vs. Jets QB Outlook
Cade Klubnik is expected to start for the Jets, with Geno Smith sitting out the game. Jaxson Dart is the projected Giants starter, but his status depends on Harbaugh’s final decision regarding the team’s first-string players.
Because preseason plans can change shortly before kickoff, the Giants’ official lineup and game-day announcements will provide the final confirmation.