Will Jets Bench Overpaid Free Agent from Starting Lineup?

The New York Jets may have just spent a lot of money on a cornerback who could be a backup come Week 1.

The Jets went into free agency with a clear mission of finding a starting-caliber boundary cornerback to start opposite of Sauce Gardner.

Just over two months ago, New York signed Baltimore Ravens free agent Brandon Stephens to a contract that makes you think they are committed to pairing him with Gardner for the long haul. His deal was worth $36 million ($22.9 million guaranteed) over three seasons.

That marks the second-largest contract given out by the Jets this offseason, behind only new starting quarterback Justin Fields. Stephens' deal, however, is the longest commitment, with Fields' just at two years and all others set at one-year rentals.

Sounds like they found their guy, right?

Well, the move was greeted with a lot of initial skepticism from pundits online.

That includes Bleacher Report's Matt Holder, who is now predicting that Stephens won't even crack New York's starting lineup.

“The defense is looking at having at least one new starter at safety and cornerback. While free-agent signing Brandon Stephens is the favorite to start opposite Gardner, don’t sleep on [Qwan’tez] Stiggers, who was a CFL All-Star and Rookie of the Year in 2023,” Holder explained.

Holder had Qwan'tez Stiggers in the lineup at outside corner after he played in 14 games with one start last season with the Jets. The nickel corner spot was taken by Michael Carter II. Other free agent signings in the running for a starting job are defensive backs Isaiah Oliver and Kris Boyd.

More criticism of Stephens' contract refers to his production in recent years not matching the money he was given, calling out the Jets for a massive over-pay.

Stephens' deal currently puts him as the 24th highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. 

"Yet, his body of work does not put him anywhere close to that tier of the position,” Michael Nania writes on Jets X-Factor.

After he was a 2021 third-round draft pick out of SMU, Stephens has totaled 259 tackles, 32 passes defended and two interceptions. Last season, Stephens graded at a below-average 55.8 overall and a disastrous 50.7 in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.

Diving deeper you'll find that Stephens allowed 65-of-96 passes thrown his way to be caught (67.7%). His 806 yards allowed were the second-most among all cornerbacks in the NFL last season. All 222 of them.

Before his departure, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta sounded pretty non-committal about his free agent.

"B-Steve’ is a great pro – an awesome attitude, a great teammate. He’d probably say he didn’t have as good a year this year, but his attitude never wavered. … He’s a free agent, so there is a lot of pressure on him in his mind. We’ll have to see what happens with him."

What happened? The New York Jets threw him a bag.

For $12 million a season, $36 million over three years, and nearly $23 million guaranteed? Fans better hope what happens next is Stephens proves his contract's worth with improved play this season.

That is, assuming New York will try to get their money's worth by putting him in the starting lineup.

After all, new head coach Aaron Glenn is one of the franchise's best cornerbacks ever. Maybe he can fix Stephens' game.

If not? The Jets may have the most expensive backup cornerback in the NFL.