Jets CB Brandon Stephens
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The Jets' secondary struggled in Week 1, especially CB Brandon Stephens.
Contrary to what many would’ve expected entering the year, the New York Jets aren’t coming off a loss that stemmed from lackluster offense. Surprisingly, it was Steve Wilks’ defense that stumbled out of the gate in Week 1.
Gang Green surrendered 34 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers, resulting in a narrow defeat. Several members of the defense failed to live up to their billings, particularly in the secondary.
Cornerback Brandon Stephens was so underwhelming that one show host campaigned for his benching. Is it already time for such a drastic measure?
Steve Wilks Staying Committed to Brandon Stephens Despite Rough Outing
Wilks doesn’t think so. In fact, he’s doubling down with his support of Stephens ahead of Week 2’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
“Let me go back and assess him throughout his time since he’s been here,” Wilks said. “He’s had an outstanding offseason, OTAs, minicamp. Had probably one of the better training camps that we’ve had, and we’re not going to — I’m not going to — make any judgements off one game. I think if you speak with him, which you probably already have, he will tell you that there are some things that he needs to improve on from that game, and number one is just really with his eyes. So I’m still a big Brandon Stephens fan, and he’s going to do a great job for us as we progress and win football games this year.”
The decision to sign Stephens to a three-year, $36 million deal this offseason caught plenty of heat. Despite his stellar training camp, he didn’t do much to ease those nerves to kick off the regular season. According to Pro Football Focus, he yielded 5 catches on 7 targets in coverage with a 136.9 passer rating. Not only that, but he missed a tackle and failed to haul in an interception that would’ve swung Sunday’s game.
Former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers averaged 0.34 EPA/play in Week 1, the ninth-highest mark for starters per rbsdm.com. Stephens played a major role in that.
Brandon Stephens' last five games dating back to last season:
26 targets18 catches244 yds4 TD / 0 INT2 DPIs for 36 yds4 missed tackles138.5 passer rating1 PBU
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) September 8, 2025
Stardom of Sauce Gardner Places Even Greater Importance on Stephens Delivering for Jets
It’s safe to say that in order for the Jets’ defense to succeed, it requires Stephens to step up. Back in July, he emphasized the need to progress in ball production. His words, at the time, seemed apt. That certainly wound up being the case now that his Week 1 results are in the books.
Stephens isn’t going anywhere; that much is clear. He played over 1,000 defensive snaps in back-to-back seasons for the Baltimore Ravens and is making hefty guarantees on his New York pact. Not even third-round rookie Azareye’h Thomas will supplant him this early.
Given how excellent Sauce Gardner is, though, Stephens projects to keep getting tested. Gardner’s elite-level play was on full display to open the year. Opposing signal-callers will continue throwing Stephens’ way. Wilks knows it, and he believes a suitable response is on the horizon.
“I think it’s important that all our guys play well, to be quite honest, and I agree [that] Sauce is an outstanding player,” Wilks said. “Many teams aren’t going to want to take that opportunity or chance to go to his side, so Brandon knows he’s going to get a lot of those plays, and I think he’s going to be up for the task.”
Considering the dominance of Josh Allen and Buffalo’s offense, the football world will find out the true answer soon enough.