In a shocking alternative move, the New York Jets could trade $36 million cornerback Brandon Stephens during the 2025 regular season. According to a source, they believe Stephens will go on the bench before the start of the campaign and won’t get an opportunity to showcase his skills. It’s possible he may get just a flurry of chances, but it might not be enough to truly show what type of versatility or abilities he has to show after earning a three-year deal in a shocking offseason move by the Jets. It already caught several teams by surprise, especially for the Baltimore Ravens, who let him test free agency, and Stephens signed quickly with the Jets.
Originally selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the former UCLA and SMU product had his best numbers during the 2023 campaign, recording 57 solo tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions in 16 games. However, he was unable to replicate that same success the following year since he was one of the main reasons why the Ravens had struggles in their pass secondary. Despite benching Marcus Williams to provide some relief for new talent, Ar’Darius Washington, it wasn’t enough for the Ravens to get much out of Stephens.
It was that the Ravens never saw a future with Stephens in their defensive unit. Baltimore let go of him at the right time, and this clock may not work in the favor of Jets. Sauce Gardner, Qwan’tex Stiggers and Michael Carter III are the projected starters for this secondary, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Jets regret the signing and trade him away.
REPORT: Jets Could Trade $36 Million Star Brandon Stephens After Latest Prediction – Saints, Panthers Top Fits
Kool-Aid McKinstry’s New Duo?
Last season, the main reason why the New Orleans Saints couldn’t stay alive despite the fallout of their offense was the pass secondary. The Saints had no other choice but to trade long-time veteran Marshon Lattimore this past year. They couldn’t keep him due to his cap space, and he was more of a liability than a reliable player since he continued to have injury issues. The same can be said about Paulson Adebo, who was never able to stay 100%, so they let him walk in free agency to join the New York Giants.
The Saints have been reluctant to add another cornerback to their unit. Kool-Aid McKinstry has some promising strides in him, but he won’t excel if he doesn’t have some type of backup help. Alontae Taylor won’t single-handedly carry this unit, and McKinstry can’t do that either. The best decision would be to trade for Stephens during the middle of this season to provide some relief.
More Backup Help
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers got two lockdown corners coming back on new deals in Jaycee Horn and Michael Jackson. It doesn’t mean the Panthers won’t chase another cornerback before the 2025 regular season, since they need the depth. They’ve done well signing Trevon Moehrig to provide some potential relief in the secondary, but that won’t happen if they don’t do anything to add any support behind Jackson and Horn.
Stephens won’t get this unit back in rhythm on the first game, but it keeps the Panthers afloat.
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