Calls Grow Louder for Jets to Bench Big Money Starter After Effort Issues
Calls have grown louder for the New York Jets to bench starting cornerback Brandon Stephens.
Midway through the second quarter, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook sliced and diced through the Jets’ defense by way of a 44-yard score, putting the team up 20-0.
The instant replay appeared to show Stephens lollygagging at the 20-yard line instead of going full force to prevent Cook from scoring.
“Brandon Stephens’ effort on this touchdown run could best be described as poor,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic posted on social media.
Brandon Stephens’ effort on this touchdown run could best be described as poor. https://t.co/KV34BtVwc2
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) September 14, 2025
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NFL analyst Will Parkinson responded, “Play AZ.” Parkinson was referencing rookie cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, Stephens’ primary backup.
Play AZ. https://t.co/gT7gMEMEkt
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) September 14, 2025
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The Jets signed Stephens to a three-year $36 million contract with $23 million of that guaranteed this offseason.
Head Coach Aaron Glenn Aggressively Pushes Back on Effort Questions
“Watching this live, I could see that Brandon Stephens gave up on the play, but I honestly thought it was just the last few strides. Re-watching it now, this is just insane. He starts jogging at around the twenty. How do the @nyjets sign this guy for $36 million?,” Jets analyst Glenn Naughton openly questioned.
Watching this live I could see that Brandon Stephens gave up on the play, but I honestly thought it was just the last few strides.
Re-watching it now, this is just insane. He starts jogging at around the twenty.
How do the @nyjets sign this guy for $36 million? https://t.co/tI6SVqsZvf
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) September 15, 2025
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“Brandon Stephens was already on notice with Jets fans after week one. The lack of effort here…. Should Brandon Stephens be benched,” Jets content creator Harrison Glaser asked on social media.
Brandon Stephens was already on notice with #Jets fans after week one
The lack of effort here….
Should Brandon Stephens be benched❓ pic.twitter.com/g5UzV2umtN
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) September 14, 2025
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Shortly after the game on Sunday, September 14, head coach Aaron Glenn said he had to watch the tape when asked for his thoughts on the run defense issues.
The next day, Coach Glenn emphatically defended his guys regarding the outside noise about hustle and effort questions.
“Over pursuit for the most part & just playing leverage football because the effort was absolutely there. Our guys were running their [expletive] off trying to get to the ball. But man, when you have two or three guys running outside the ball, and this is a cutback league, man, we can’t allow it to happen. That is something we can fix, like quickly, and our guys will understand that. So I look forward to making sure that when we get into the meeting, we address that,” Glenn said.
#Jets HC Aaron Glenn reviewed the #Bills tape & was asked what wasn’t working in run defense?
‘Over pursuit for the most part & just playing leverage football because the effort was absolutely there. Our guys were running their ass off trying to get to the ball.’
NYJ allowed… pic.twitter.com/82m3ITLNR4
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) September 15, 2025
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Jets Have a Capable Body Waiting in the Wings
You can take a player not performing up to snuff. It happens every week in the NFL. However, a player not putting out effort and not hustling is unacceptable behavior for any player, let alone someone you just paid a bag of money.
The eye in the sky never lies. Fans and analysts noticed Stephens’ lack of effort, even if Coach Glenn didn’t on tape.
If the Jets decided to yank the plug on Stephens, they have a capable replacement at the ready.
Thomas, 21, entered the league this offseason as the No. 73 overall pick in the third round. NFL draft analyst Drew Beatty told me on “Boy Green Daily” that he had a first-round grade on Thomas. He said the Jets getting him in the third round was one of the best steals of April’s draft.
Steelers Get ‘Good News’ on Alex Highsmith Injury Ahead of Week 3
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith left the Week 2 loss against the Seattle Seahawks with an injury, and there was a mostly positive update on that developing situation on Monday, September 15.
“Steelers LB Alex Highsmith, who left Sunday’s game with what Mike Tomlin called a high-ankle sprain, is not likely to be placed on IR, sources say,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport relayed on X. Adding: “That’s good news, an indication that it’s not as serious as first believed. IR would knock him out four games.”
So, while Highsmith may still be unavailable for Week 3 against the New England Patriots, there is reason to believe that he won’t miss too much time.
Considering Highsmith was seen in a “walking boot” after the defeat, and Rapoport himself noted a four-to-six week recovery timeline was possible, it would seem the Steelers managed to dodge a bullet on this one.
Alex Highsmith’s Contract Called Into Question After Latest Injury With Steelers
Highsmith is earning $17 million per year after signing a $68 million contract in 2023. And Steelers Nation is beginning to question if the production and availability are worth the price tag.
“Alex Highsmith got a contract extension in July of 2023. His sack total was then cut in half in 2023. He missed six games in 2024. [And] he missed all of camp in 2025 and is now injured in the second week of the season,” Josh Rowntree of 937 The Fan posted on the evening of September 14.
Fans also chimed in on social media, calling for more Nick Herbig usage and a contract restructure of Highsmith.
It’s true that Highsmith has yet to recapture the magic of his 14.5-sack campaign in 2022. Of course, this season directly led to the aforementioned contract extension.
Highsmith has managed a combined 13.0 sacks over the past two regular seasons, with 1.0 sack in each of the Steelers’ past two playoff appearances and another 1.0 sack to begin the 2025 campaign.
The veteran starter did add 9 tackles for a loss in just 11 starts last year, with 13 QB hits and 1 forced fumble. He also got off to a hot start this season, according to Pro Football Focus, leading all edge rushers with a minimum of 20% snaps played in “PRP.”
Per PFF, PRP is a “formula that combines sacks, hits and hurries relative to how many times they rush the passer.”
Highsmith is also currently tied for seventh among all NFL edge rushers in pass-rush win-rate after two games.
Steelers Need More From Defense in Week 3
Over the first two weeks of football, it’s surprisingly been the Steelers’ defense that’s come up a bit short, allowing 30-plus points in each outing.
Now, obviously it all works hand-in-hand, and offensive and special teams struggles sometimes lead to defensive letdowns, but even so, this is not what head coach Mike Tomlin had in mind when he went out and acquired Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and more.
Pittsburgh is still without first-round defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, and the Highsmith injury adds another potential problem, but the Steelers need more from their defense if they have serious Super Bowl aspirations.
This was never supposed to be a weekly shootout led by Aaron Rodgers, it was supposed to be a methodical and steady offense carried by an elite defense. As of now, that’s not what anyone has witnessed.
