Veteran Focused on Improving Ball Skills and Creating Turnovers in First Year with Jets

Susanna Weir

As cornerbackBrandon Stephensenters his first season with the Green & White, the fifth-year player is eager to make his presence known.

"Just being able to change the game," Stephens said of his goal for 2025. "Not trying to force your way into changing games but just being in the right spot at the right time."

Stephens is no stranger to dominant defense. He joined the Jets during free agency after spending the first four seasons of his career in Baltimore, where he contributed to a unit that consistently ranked among the league's best.

In 17 starts for the Ravens during the 2024 season, Stephens totaled 70 tackles, 10 pass defenses and 1.5 sacks. In 2023, he contributed 2 interceptions and 11 pass defenses on a unit that became the first in NFL history to lead the league in scoring, sacks and takeaways.

Stephens will look to bring this high defensive standard to the Jets and elevate his game. HC Aaron Glenn noted that the veteran player can successfully "deny the ball" but must "work on creating turnovers." As he begins his new chapter in New York, this will be a top priority.

"We speak in the DB room about turning the ball over and getting hands on the ball," Stephens said. "I think that's been a main focus for me. But as a unit as well, we know we can change the game with turnovers and just making plays on the ball."

Since arriving at 1 Jets Drive, Stephens and his unit have worked on building "chemistry and camaraderie" that can translate to on-field production.

"It's been a great offseason for us all," he said. "We're just laying the foundation for when we get back for training camp [so we can] hit the ground running."

For Stephens, an important part of laying this foundation has been working with two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.

"He's a student of the game," Stephens said. "We've been bouncing ideas off each other, just stuff we've learned in the past or what we think about certain things. It's been great being here with him and just being a part of this unit."

With training camp quickly approaching, Stephens is confident his group will embrace the challenge. After gaining experience playing with a league-leading defense, he knows what it will take to replicate that level of success.

"We have to prove ourselves each and every day," Stephens said. "It starts on this practice field and that translates to Sundays. We're just trying to be the best unit in the National Football League. We know that doesn't come easy. We have to work for that and earn that. We have to stick to the process."