Brandon Stephens confirms what's hanging over the Jets defense's head

The New York Jets made unfortunate history last season when they managed to go the entire season without recording an interception.

It was the first time since the NFL-AFL merger that something of that magnitude had happened, and to make it even more embarrassing, they did it through a 17-game season.

Breaking that streak was clearly an emphasis for the Jets this offseason. They added two new starters to their secondary in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Nahshon Wright.

But the players that remain from that 2025 team know they have one of the NFL's nastiest streaks hanging over their heads, and they're doing everything they can to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Brandon Stephens says Jets defense is making sure 'it doesn't happen again'

Speaking with reporters after a minicamp practice, Stephens was asked about the interception streak and how the Jets' defense is handling it this offseason.

"It's hard to believe that could happen. But it happened. At the end of the season, you keep it in the back of your mind, but you flush it so it doesn't happen again. All the guys are taking it personally because it's part of our nature. When an opportunity arises, you have to be ready to capitalize on it. That's what we've been talking about, just staying ready."

Brandon Stephens

Stephens isn't the ball-hawking cornerback the Jets need, but it seems like he's developing into a leader that the Jets' younger defenders can look to as a role model.

But that's exactly why New York brought in players like Wright and Fitzpatrick. Wright, in particular, is expected to help break the streak in a big way.

The 2021 third-round draft pick was a Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears last year, hauling in five interceptions.

There's concern that Wright is a bit of a one-year wonder, especially if you consider the one-year contract he signed in free agency, but at this point in the offseason, he seems penciled in as a starter.

The other defensive addition, Fitzpatrick, may not be the turnover machine he once was, but he still was more productive than any other Jets defensive back last year.

Over his career, he has 21 interceptions. Maybe Fitzpatrick will be able to recapture some of the magic he had earlier in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Regardless, the odds are in the Jets' favor when it comes to breaking their interception streak. It can last that much longer, can it?

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