A passionate ESPN radio host is demanding some serious changes to the New York Jets’ starting lineup.
Jake Asman explained on “The Jake Asman Show” that following the team’s 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team should bench starting cornerback Brandon Stephens and starting safety Tony Adams.
“Brandon Stephens was absolutely horrendous yesterday, and it’s so disappointing because at the time he signed with the Jets, we all had some serious doubts. Then he has this really good training camp, and I’m thinking, ‘Okay, well maybe they’re gonna be able to coach him up.’ Then what he did yesterday was exactly what he has been [doing] in his career. For those saying, ‘Oh, it has only been one game, ‘ this is who he has been. He’s in play to make plays, but then he doesn’t make plays,” Asman explained.
“He is slipping when an interception hits him directly in the hands that could have completely won that game. That can’t happen. Here are the coverage stats from yesterday: Seven targets on Stevens, five receptions, 60 yards allowed, two touchdowns. The numbers are brutal,” Asman said. “I’m tired of being patient as a Jets fan. If I’m Aaron Glenn and I’m trying to fix this defense, and I use a third-round pick on a top-75 prospect in Azareye’h Thomas, I’m playing him. I don’t care if they’ve paid Brandon Stephens.”
“That brings me to Tony Adams, horrendous. Three targets, three receptions, 56 yards. Taking terrible routes to the ball … why is Tony Adams playing if plays like this are gonna happen? Give me Malachi Moore in this situation over Adams any day. Give me AZ Thomas and Malachi Moore. I’d rather play the rookies. They can not be worse than what we saw,” Asman said on “The Jake Asman Show.”
Is it time to bring in the #Jets rookies to help after some massive secondary mishaps? pic.twitter.com/LwcovjXINk
— The Jake Asman Show (@JakeAsmanShow) September 9, 2025
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Head Coach Aaron Glenn’s Blunt Message Comes to the Forefront
“You will not be on the field with this team if you’re gonna cause us to lose games,” head coach Aaron Glenn said after the Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh.
He was specifically referring to the lone turnover and the undisciplined penalties, but you can easily make a case that Stephens and Adams were net negatives for the Jets.
Stephens signed a sizable three-year $36 million contract that included $22.98 million guaranteed. That was the second-largest contract given out by the Jets during free agency, only behind Justin Fields’ two-year $40 million deal.
Adams returned to the Jets this offseason on a one-year restricted free agent tender for $3.26 million.
Glenn Plays Defense for His Guy
“Brandon has been doing a really good job in coverage all through training camp. The thing that we have to continue to work on with him is being able to locate and finish on the ball. Listen, I am encouraged, and I do think as the season progresses, he will be able to make those plays because he is a really good cover guy, and that showed yesterday on tape,” Coach Glenn explained on Monday, September 8.
That doesn’t sound like a coach who is ready to make a rash decision after a single game.
Stephens got a bag from the Jets, so for better or for worse, he is going to get an opportunity to prove his worth.
The same can’t be said for Adams. Last year, he was unceremoniously benched at the recommendation of owner Woody Johnson, according to The Athletic. Catching the attention of the multi-billion-dollar owner in that way is never a good thing.
The coaching staff may have changed since last year, but the ownership group hasn’t. Adams should keep his head on a swivel because his leash is far shorter than Stephens’.
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