Jets Double Down on Polarizing CB Despite Bad Week 1

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.

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.

Packers Predicted To Not Renew Starter After Teammate’s Extension

After an excellent opening game against division rivals, the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers made a key extension signing. However, the player extended – Christian Watson – did not play a single snap in week one, as he continues his rehab from a torn ACL suffered in the 2024 regular season finale against the Chicago Bears in January.

Watson figures to be a starter when he is ready to return – a date that is expected to be sometime next month, in October. And when on the field and healthy, he is unquestionably one of the more physically gifted, athletic receivers on Green Bay’s roster.

The deal keeps Watson in Wisconsin through the 2026 season, with his extension being to the tune of one year and $13.25 million.

As a result, this – according to some publications – could mean that former 2022 fourth round pick and Watson’s draft class-mate, Romeo Doubs, might be in the midst of his last season with the organization.

How Does Watson’s Signing Impact The Rest Of The Receiving Corps

At this point, the Packers have six names on their active roster at wideout, in addition to Watson – who remains on IR.

Four of them; Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams and Matthew Golden; remain under contract through at least 2026, whilst Malik Heath and Doubs are on expiring contracts.

Heath will be a restricted free agent this upcoming March, meaning that the team can choose to assign him a “tender” – AKA a salary that increases as the draft compensation for another team deciding to sign him in the free agent window also increases.

Doubs, on the other hand, will be an unrestricted free agent, and as such will be free to sign with any team in the NFL, if he is not re-signed to a deal prior to mid-March, 2026.

Will The Packers Manage To Re-Sign Romeo Doubs

It is unclear at this point what the future holds for Doubs, even after a couple of big plays in week one that resulted in him attaining 68 receiving yards.

Forbes, however believes that in all likelihood, the writing is on the wall for Doubs’ stint with the Packers.

“By signing Watson through the 2026 campaign, though, Green Bay will most likely be waving goodbye to Doubs.” Rob Reischel of Forbes wrote on Wednesday.

Reischel framed the move to sign Watson as a choice made to bring back either him or Doubs. Particularly in light of the 4 year, $188 million deal that the franchise gave to Micah Parsons two weeks ago in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

“The first tough decision was Watson or Doubs — and Green Bay went with Watson, who is expected to return later this season after tearing an ACL in Week 18, 2024…While the Packers still have six months to officially make a decision on Doubs, they can’t pay everybody. And it seems like a virtual certainty Doubs will be in a different uniform in 2026.”

Even if Doubs has a career year with Green Bay, amidst all the talent at the position, Reischel believes that will simply lead to him getting a bigger contract elsewhere.

“If Doubs has a big 2025 campaign, he’ll earn a hefty payday somewhere else. If his numbers are pedestrian, the Packers would have little interest in bringing him back.”

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