Getty Jets cornerback Tae Hayes was arrested for marijuana possession.
The New York Jets have another difficult decision to make after cornerback Tae Hayes was arrested June 23 in Alabama on a charge of marijuana possession, according to multiple reports.
He was arrested at 3:46 a.m., the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said, and was released about 90 minutes later after posting a $300 bond.
The Jets said, “We are aware of the situation and we will refrain from further comment, as it is a pending legal matter,” according to The New York Post.
Hayes is far from a lock to make the final 53-man roster, and his arrest could make what was going to be a difficult decision even harder.
Who Is Tae Hayes?
He’s not a household name, but Hayes, 26, has had a unique path in professional football.
Hayes was a key contributor for Appalachian State, appearing in 52 games and making 33 starts over four seasons. He recorded 135 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 9 interceptions over that span.
He went undrafted in 2019 and bounced around the NFL with five different teams in three seasons before trying his hand at the USFL, signing with the Birmingham Stallions in 2022.
The move revitalized his football career. Birmingham would win the USFL championship in Hayes’ lone season in the league, opening the door for him to find his way back to the NFL.
Hayes would have a cup of coffee with another four NFL teams in 2022 and 2023 before landing on the Jets practice squad. He made enough of an impressive to earn a reserve/futures deal ahead of the 2024 season.
The Jets Have Legitimate Cornerback Talent
Regardless of his legal situation, it was always going to be an uphill battle for Hayes to make the 53-man roster.
The Jets have one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Sauce Gardner. He was the fourth overall pick in 2022. Since then, he’s been named a first-team All-Pro twice in two seasons. He was also named the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Gardner will hold down one of the starting outside roles, presumably with D.J. Reed alongside him. While not the biggest player at 5-foot-9, Reed has been a reliable corner for the Jets. He’s played in 32 of 34 games in two seasons with the team, recording 156 tackles and two interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed a passer rating no higher than 85.1 in either season when targeted.
The Jets also have some solid competition behind those two. Brandin Echols was a sixth-round pick back in 2021. Meanwhile, Jets fans are excited to see what rookie Qwan’tez Stiggers can do. A CFL breakout star, Stiggers could be a fifth-round steal for the Jets.
Multiple undrafted free agents will also be looking to make a name for themselves at training camp. The UDFA corners include the likes of Myles Jones, Brandon Codrington and Shemar Bartholomew.
SNY referred to the four-way battle between Hayes, Jones, Codrington and Bartholomew as the Jets’ “biggest camp battle.”
“There may be a spot or two available either on the active roster or practice squad and the journeyman Hayes will be looking to see off a trio of undrafted rookies,” Lucas Hutcherson wrote on June 7. “Anyone who can prove themselves to be a potential special teams contributor has a realistic chance of winning this competition, so Codrington’s experience as a return man could serve him well.”