After D.J. Reed agreed to a three-year, $48 million contract with the Lions after the authorized tampering interval started on Monday, the Jets wanted to discover a cornerback reverse Sauce Gardner.
Hours after Reed’s deal was reported, the Jets agreed to a three-year contract with former Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens, in keeping with sources. NFL Community is reporting the deal is for $36 million, with $23 million assured.
Baltimore initially chosen Stephens, 27, within the third spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft out of SMU. After transferring from UCLA to SMU, Stephens was transformed from a working again to a cornerback. However he transitioned to security after getting into the NFL and briefly turned the Ravens’ beginning free security in 2021.
Nonetheless, Stephens was moved again to cornerback in 2022 and have become Baltimore’s starter in 2023. That season, he completed with 74 tackles and two interceptions after serving to the Ravens attain the AFC Championship earlier than dropping to the eventual Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs.
However the 2024 marketing campaign was a down yr for Stephens. He allowed the fifth-most receptions (65) within the NFL, and opposing quarterbacks had a 107.4 passer score when he was in protection. Stephens additionally allowed probably the most targets (96) within the league and the second-most yards (806).
Professional Soccer Focus gave Stephens a 55.8 grade, and he was ranked one hundred and fifty fifth out of 223 cornerbacks. Final season, he completed with 70 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 10 move deflections.
Stephens will be a part of a Jets protection that completed within the high 5 every of the final three seasons. Nonetheless, there’s a brand new regime on the town after Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey turned the crew’s new coach and common supervisor this offseason. Steve Wilks can be the Jets’ new defensive coordinator.
Stephens will be a part of Gardner and slot cornerback Michael Carter II within the secondary. The Jets’ safeties are unclear in the meanwhile, as Ashtyn Davis and Tony Adams are each free brokers. On Monday afternoon, the Jets positioned a right-of-first-refusal tender on Adams, a restricted free agent. That may give them the correct to match any provide for him available on the market.
There’s a possible the Jets may additionally transfer Stephens to security, which he additionally has expertise at.
Initially Revealed: March 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM EDT
