Jets may be asking far too much of Brandon Stephens entering 2026

Brandon Stephens was undoubtedly one of the biggest gambles of a rather nondescript 2025 New York Jets offseason.

The Jets gave him a three-year, $36 million contract after a rough final season in Baltimore, making him the only external addition signed for more than two years. He had just allowed the second-most receiving yards among cornerbacks in 2024, so the price tag immediately (and understandably!) raised eyebrows.

One year later, it's safe to say that contract looks at least a bit more defensible. Stephens still gave up too many touchdowns and failed to record an interception, but his overall coverage improved, his penalties decreased, and he was genuinely one of the Jets’ best run defenders.

The problem entering 2026 is that the Jets may need him to be more than a serviceable starter.

Day 63 of your 2026 Jets Camp Countdown belongs to the Ravens Reject, Even Stephens, and the former college running back turned cornerback...it’s Brandon Stephens.

1. Where Brandon Stephens stands entering Jets training camp
2. The Jets are probably asking too much of Brandon Stephens
3. What would make 2026 a success for Brandon Stephens
4. Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

Where Brandon Stephens stands entering Jets training camp

Stephens enters camp as the most established outside cornerback on the roster. That partially says something about the year he had in 2025, but it also says plenty about the state of the Jets’ cornerback room.

The former Ravens defensive back started 16 games in his first season with the Jets and played 588 coverage snaps. Opposing quarterbacks completed 47 of 70 targets against him for 509 yards, good for 0.87 yards per coverage snap. That ranked a very respectable 25th among 71 qualified cornerbacks.

Stephens also cut down on the mistakes that followed him in Baltimore. He committed only three penalties all season, the lowest total of his career as a full-time starter, and allowed 164 yards after the catch. Both numbers were notable improvements from his final two seasons with the Ravens.

His 63.0 Pro Football Focus grade seemingly matches that overall evaluation. Stephens played like a competent -enough NFL starter for most of the season.

That said, the former SMU standout did allow a whopping eight touchdowns in coverage, tied for the second-most among cornerbacks. He was also the only player among the four corners who surrendered at least eight touchdowns not to record an interception.

Still, Stephens gave the Jets more than many expected when the team signed him. The question now is whether that level of play can hold up when he enters the season as their projected top cornerback.

The Jets are probably asking too much of Brandon Stephens

Stephens is an NFL-caliber cornerback. He proved that last season. He covers well enough on a down-to-down basis and consistently finishes tackles. That combination gives him value as a starting outside corner in Aaron Glenn’s defense.

His run defense is probably his best asset at this time. Stephens posted a 75.7 PFF run-defense grade last season, seventh among qualified cornerbacks with at least 300 run-defense snaps. He also ranked fourth at the position in run stops.

Two of the three players ahead of him are 2026 Jets teammates. Nahshon Wright, Jarvis Brownlee and Stephens finished second, third and fourth among cornerbacks in run stops. That physicality is a staple of the Jets' cornerback room, and that's not even accounting for D'Angelo Ponds and Azareye'h Thomas.

Stephens was a capable CB2 for the Jets last season. The issue is that he's not being asked to be a capable CB2.

There's a difference between handling one side of the field and drawing the opponent’s best receiver every week. Stephens has never shown the ball skills or coverage consistency needed to feel comfortable with him in that role for a full season.

The eight touchdowns allowed last year weren't random. Stephens consistently struggles at the catch point, and his lack of interceptions limits how much he gives back when targeted.

Ideally, Stephens would enter the year as the locked-in CB2. That would allow him to lean on his strengths without asking him to shadow elite receivers or carry the secondary. The Jets don't currently have that luxury, however.

Ponds may have the highest ceiling of the group. Thomas flashed promise as a rookie, while Wright offers length, experience, and ball skills. None of the three are penciled in ahead of Stephens on the depth chart entering the summer, though.

Camp Countdown: Your guide to every player on the 2026 Jets roster

What would make 2026 a success for Brandon Stephens

The Jets aren't asking Stephens to be a shutdown CB1, which is good because he likely never will be one. He needs to keep the solid parts of his 2025 season intact and clean up the mistakes that turned too many drives into touchdowns.

The first priority is limiting scores in coverage. Eight touchdowns is far too many for any starting cornerback, regardless of how respectable the rest of the numbers look.

Stephens also needs to create takeaways, which goes for the entirety of the Jets' defense as well. Now, he's never been a high-volume interception player, but finishing another full season without one would put even more pressure on the rest of the secondary.

Everything else can pretty much remain the same. He needs to continue tackling well, supporting the run, and avoiding penalties. Those traits make him useful even when he is not making plays on the ball.

Stephens already exceeded the expectations that followed him to Florham Park. The Jets just need to avoid turning that pleasant surprise into a role he was never supposed to handle.

Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

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