This Jets CB has quietly been their worst in 2025 (and it’s not Brandon Stephens)

The New York Jets' secondary has been one of the team's most disappointing position groups through the first three weeks of the season, and much of the criticism has been directed at free-agent addition Brandon Stephens.

That criticism is understandable, given that Stephens, signed to a three-year, $36 million contract this offseason, has struggled to start his Jets career. He's mostly resembled the Baltimore Ravens version of himself — a player who was one of the worst cornerbacks in the NFL.

But despite what most Jets fans probably think, Stephens hasn't been the team's worst cornerback through the first three games of the year. That unfortunate distinction likely belongs to starting nickel cornerback Michael Carter II.

Carter has been one of the NFL’s worst slot corners this season, and unlike Stephens, who has at least shown some tackling ability, he’s been a liability in every phase of the game.

Michael Carter II has been a major liability for the Jets in 2025

Carter's 44.5 Pro Football Focus coverage grade currently ranks second-worst among all qualified nickel cornerbacks in the NFL. He's allowed seven catches for 94 yards on 11 targets, including three catches of 20+ yards.

For context, Carter allowed just three catches of 20+ yards in 15 games in 2023. He's already matched that total over the first three games of 2025.

Carter has also been a major liability against the run. The Duke product carries a PFF run defense grade of 55.0 for the season, including a 38.3 mark in Week 3, along with a PFF tackling grade of just 51.6.

The concerning part is that this has become a trend dating back to last season. Carter's 2024 campaign was a challenging one, as the former fifth-round pick battled through a back injury and played well below the standard he set in 2023 as arguably the league's best nickel corner.

Carter's 50.7 PFF grade in 2024 ranked 124th out of 135 cornerbacks to play at least 200 defensive snaps. Most were quick to give Carter some leeway since he was playing through an injury, but Jets fans were expecting a bounce-back season.

Instead, he’s arguably been even worse through three games. Carter is now dealing with a shoulder injury sustained in Week 1, though it’s unclear how much it has affected his performance. The result is the same, however.

This isn't to say Stephens has been good, of course. The ex-Ravens cornerback has still allowed 11 catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns — he's been as bad if not worse in coverage than Carter.

The biggest difference is that Stephens has at least contributed with physicality as a tackler. The Jets' prized free-agent signing has easily been the team's best tackling cornerback, having missed just one of his 14 tackle attempts.

In reality, it doesn’t matter who’s worse — both are allowing too many easy completions, and opposing offenses are taking full advantage. The Jets have a problem in their secondary, and it extends beyond Stephens and the safeties.

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