The New York Jets have an opportunity to add some cap space ahead of a pivotal 2026 offseason.
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti explained how the Jets can alter the contract of veteran cornerback Brandon Stephens to add flexibility over the coming months.
“CB Brandon Stephens holds a fully guaranteed salary in 2026, and a simple salary conversion on it can open up another $8.7M of room,” Ginnitti wrote. “The Jets are in a nice spot to ride out some of these current contracts (and front-load new ones).”
Depending on the salary cap website you peruse, the Jets’ cap space for 2026 varies greatly.
Over The Cap has the Jets at $66.12 million in 2026 cap space, which ranks fifth most in the league. Spotrac has the Jets at $85.59 million in 2026 cap space, which ranks fourth most in the NFL.
The First Year of Stephens Was a Roller Coaster
One of the biggest free agency splashes by the Jets last year was signing Stephens to a three-year, $36 million contract.
That signing was met with immediate skepticism from the fan base and on social media by fans.
“The Jets signing cornerback Brandon Stephens. Stephens — who got a three-year, $36 million deal — was the clear weakness in Baltimore’s secondary last season. Yes, cornerback stats are inconsistent from year to year, but he ranked 81st out of 92 qualifying cornerbacks in my coverage DVOA metric in 2024,” ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wrote in March of 2025.
Despite all that outside noise, Stephens settled in just fine at the cornerback spot. He started in 16 games this year, registered nine pass deflections, had a forced fumble, four tackles for loss, and finished with 73 total tackles.
“We are deep enough into the season where I have to go fully hands up, I was wrong on the Brandon Stephens contract, he has been very good and consistent from week 3 on. The Jets have been able to trade Sauce and confidently go into next year with their top 3 CBs in place with him, Thomas and Brownlee. Also a testament to the Jets staff that he has been better here than in Baltimore,” Jets analyst Joe Caporoso posted on December 2.
Jets Still Need Help in the Secondary This Offseason
The Jets were the first team in NFL history to go through an entire season without registering a single interception.
Obviously, running it back with the same group from the previous year isn’t good enough. The Jets need to look in the mirror at both safety and corner.
With the money they have available in free agency and with the draft assets, they should be able to add some ballhawks this offseason.
Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard III led the league in interceptions in 2025 (seven), per ESPN. Byard, 32, will turn 33 before the start of the 2026 season and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
He is a three-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time Pro Bowler, and he has led the league in picks twice. Byard could be exactly what the doctor ordered to help fix the backend of the Jets’ defense. The Jets just need more players who can make plays.
Jets Can Create $8.7 Million in Cap Space With Brandon Stephens Move