Brandon Stephens is one of the starting corners for the New York Jets at the beginning of training camp. It is unclear if that will still be the case at the end of training camp.
Eric Edholm of the NFL Media Group listed the top NFL veterans who could be in danger of losing their starting gigs over the coming weeks.
“The Jets gave Stephens a three-year deal averaging $12 million per season, which is a top-25 salary at the position, to replace the departed D.J. Reed. I don’t believe Stephens has played to that level thus far in his career, and I am even beginning to wonder if he might end up losing a starting job to second-round pick Azareye’h Thomas,” Edholm speculated.
“New head coach Aaron Glenn will start the best group, regardless of pedigree, and early reports from OTAs suggested that Thomas looked better than Stephens in non-contact drills. We’ll have to wait for the pads to come on in training camp before making any final judgments, but it might be trending in that direction,” Edholm said.
A Position Change Could Be Looming for Jets
If Stephens was benched, there wouldn’t be another spot available at corner. However, there could be a spot at safety.
Andre Cisco is expected to be one of the starters after signing a one-year $8.5 million contract in free agency. Who will be the other starter at safety is still very much up in the air.
That is where Stephens could re-enter the fray.
“The good thing about Stephens is that he’s played just about every position in the secondary. If Thomas beats him out for the outside CB spot opposite Sauce Gardner, maybe the veteran finds a role as a jack of all trades and the first guy off the bench. But would that be worth $12 mil,” Edholm openly asked.
An interesting thought. You always want to get the best players on the field, and perhaps Stephens could contribute differently.
There were some initial rumors that a position change could happen months ago because on the Jets’ online roster sheet, Stephens was temporarily listed at safety. It picked up steam on social media. Then the Jets switched the position back to corner.
Clearing Something up From Jets Training Camp…
During the first training camp practice, Stephens got roasted on social media. He got mossed by Garrett Wilson on the first play of 7-on-7.
“Former Ravens CB Brandon Stephens on Day 1 of Jets training camp😳,” Baltimore Ravens analyst Kevin Oestreicher reacted on social media.
That sparked a lot of jokes from Ravens fans in the comment section.
Maybe Stephens is going to get his starting job taken from him over the next couple of weeks, but this play ain’t it.
Wilson is a star receiver who is going to moss a lot of people in 2025. Stephens was the first victim, but he certainly won’t be the last.
Getting mossed by a random receiver should lead to jokes. The fact that it transpired at the hands of Wilson, the No. 5 highest-paid wide receiver in football, is another day at the office.
Jets $36 Million Free Agent in Danger of Being Benched Months After Signing