On March 13, the New York Jets made a bold move in free agency by signing former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens to a three-year, $36 million deal. It was the second-biggest financial commitment by the franchise this offseason. But just months later, questions are surfacing about whether the investment was a misstep.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report has stirred conversation with a surprising prediction: that Stephens could find himself benched before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Holder believes CFL sensation and 2023 Rookie of the Year Qwan’tez Stiggers may leapfrog Stephens on the depth chart.
“The defense is looking at having at least one new starter at safety and cornerback,” Holder wrote. “While free-agent signing Brandon Stephens is the favorite to start opposite [Sauce] Gardner, don’t sleep on Stiggers.” He went further, projecting that the Week 1 trio would feature Gardner, Stiggers, and Michael Carter II in the nickel.
Stephens, 27, has solid experience, having played four seasons with the Ravens and starting 48 of his 65 career games. He’s posted 259 tackles, two interceptions, and 32 pass deflections during his NFL career. But despite the steady production, his film has raised eyebrows.
Some analysts question whether his play justifies a contract ranking him among the NFL’s top 25 highest-paid corners. Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor called the signing “inexplicable” and criticized Stephens’ vulnerability in coverage, citing how frequently he was targeted by opposing quarterbacks in Baltimore.
Former Jets receiver Rob Carpenter echoed similar skepticism. “That’s a surprise signing to me,” he wrote on social media. “He quite often was targeted by other teams, and they were quite successful.” The move was seen as puzzling by fans and media alike — especially given the size of the deal.
Nevertheless, Stephens may benefit from being coached by Aaron Glenn, the Jets’ new head coach and one of the most accomplished corners in franchise history. Glenn’s experience could be critical in helping Stephens rebound and silence the doubters, at least during training camp battles.
Still, Qwan’tez Stiggers looms as a serious threat. The 23-year-old took one of the most unconventional paths to the NFL. Without playing a down of college football, Stiggers starred in the fan-controlled football league and then dominated in the CFL, where he was named the league’s top rookie in 2023.
Drafted in the fifth round by the Jets in 2024, Stiggers saw limited action as a rookie, appearing in 14 games with just one start. He played only 5% of defensive snaps, but his talent and hunger have made him a rising name within the organization.
What makes the situation more complex is that Stiggers was selected by the previous Jets front office, not the current one. If he does indeed start in Week 1 of 2025, it would be a remarkable leap — and an indictment of the front office’s offseason spending.
For Stephens, the pressure is on. If he can’t lock down a starting job in training camp, the $36 million contract will begin to look like a costly misfire. And for Stiggers, the next few months could define one of the NFL’s most compelling underdog stories in recent memory.
The Jets’ cornerback room suddenly has more drama than expected. With training camp around the corner, eyes will be glued to how this surprising battle plays out.