Jets can’t run from the harsh truth about this struggling DB

When the New York Jets signed cornerback Michael Carter II to a three–year, $30.75 million contract extension in September of last year, fans were understandably excited to see one of the team's best homegrown layers rewarded.

Carter had established himself as arguably the best nickel cornerback in the NFL and as a cornerstone of the Jets' defense. Jets fans were looking forward to at least three more years of Carter headlining one of the league's best secondaries.

Unfortunately, Carter's career has taken a nosedive since signing that contract, and as it stands now, just four games into the 2025 season, a harsh reality is beginning to set in.

The once-standout nickel cornerback looks like a shell of his former self, as injuries have begun to take their toll. The writing already appears to be on the wall — this feels like it will be his last season in green and white.

Michael Carter II's time with the Jets may be coming to an end

There was a time not too long ago that Carter had a legitimate claim to being the best nickel cornerback in the NFL. The former Duke standout ranked first among all slot corners in Pro Football Focus coverage grade (83.3) in 2023.

Carter also finished that season with the fewest yards allowed in slot coverage (195), the fewest receptions allowed in slot coverage (25), and the fewest yards allowed per slot coverage snap (0.54).

From 2022 to 2023, it could be argued that no nickel cornerback in the NFL played better than Carter. That’s precisely why the Jets moved quickly to extend him when they did.

Unfortunately, Carter's 2024 season was a disaster. The former fifth-round pick battled through a back injury for much of the year, finishing with an abysmal 50.7 PFF grade, which ranked among the lowest of all qualified cornerbacks.

The hope was that a healthy Carter could return to his pre-injury form in 2025, but that hasn't been the case. Through four games, he's arguably been the biggest liability in the Jets' defense.

Carter's egregiously bad 35.9 PFF coverage grade ranks 88th out of 89 qualified cornerbacks to play at least 80 coverage snaps. He's coupled that with a 59.0 PFF run defense grade and a lowly 43.2 tackle grade.

Carter has been one of the worst cornerbacks in the NFL over the last two seasons. Part of his struggles could be injury-related, as the 26-year-old has dealt with a shoulder injury in 2025 and, most recently, suffered a concussion in Week 4.

But those injury concerns are another reason why his fate in Florham Park already appears to be sealed. The Jets acquired Jarvis Brownlee Jr. in a trade with the Tennessee Titans last week, and there's a real chance he eats into Carter's playing time when he returns from injury.

The Jets can save over $7 million by releasing Carter this offseason, and given his performance and durability over the last two seasons, it's hard to imagine they don't opt to go that route.

It's an unfortunate fall from grace for a player who was one of the team's best development stories in recent memory. The harsh truth is beginning to set in for many Jets fans — Carter's time in New York is likely coming to an end.

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