The New York Jets made a flurry of moves on Tuesday, September 23. One of those included striking a trade with the Tennessee Titans for cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said on social media the Jets’ acquisition of Brownlee places veteran corner Brandon Stephens on the “hot seat.”
“He could push Brandon Stephens for the starting job opposite Sauce Gardner,” Cimini wrote.
“Stephens, a pricey offseason addition, allowed a touchdown pass and missed three tackles Sunday in a 29-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that dropped the Jets to 0-3. The former Baltimore Ravens starter, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract as a free agent, has struggled in three games,” Cimini bluntly stated.
Stephens’ Job Is Safe… For Now
Brownlee, 24, entered the league as the No. 146 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
In his brief NFL career to date, Brownlee has appeared in 19 games and has made 16 starts. That includes the first two games of the season for Tennessee.
However, he did miss the Week 3 contest with an “ankle injury and was spotted in a walking boot,” according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
“Seems unlikely to play this week for the Jets,” Rosenblatt added.
Brownlee has registered 92 tackles, 10 pass deflections, nine tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
Jets Beat out Patriots on Trade for Young Corner
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed on X previously Twitter that the New England Patriots “also called” the Titans about the availability of Brownlee “before he was ultimately dealt to the Jets.”
Nice Upside Dart Throw by the Jets
“The Jets have acquired CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick,” Jets senior reporter Eric Allen posted in a press release.
Gang Green didn’t lose a pick; rather, they just slid a little further in the 2026 NFL draft.
“Has primarily been an outside corner for the Titans with some snaps on special teams. Had played 93% of the snaps for the Titans,” Rosenblatt revealed on social media.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic projected Brownlee as a slot defender at the NFL level, “but he hasn’t played much nickel so far,” Rosenblatt revealed.
Rosenblatt said one of the reasons the Jets “were interested” in trading for Brownlee is because of his “impressive tackling” on his highlight reel. Tackling has proven to be a consistent issue for the Jets through the first three weeks of the season.
Family Reunion on 1 Jets Drive
“Brownlee will reunite with Jets DB coach/pass game coordinator Chris Harris, who served as Tennessee’s defensive pass game coordinator/CB coach last season,” Allen posted in the press release.
Some Legitimate Issues That Need to Be Cleaned Up
First and foremost, Brownlee has penalty issues.
He has had 11 accepted penalties against him in 19 career games, per Rosenblatt.
Dennard Wilson, former Jets coach, is now the Titans’ defensive coordinator. He has previously discussed Brownlee’s penalty problems with the media.
“I want him to play with the tenacity that he plays with and to play hard. But the penalties must stop. We have to clean it up. I’ve been raised with the thought that if you allow it to happen, it’s not good. We’ve addressed it. We’re going to keep working on him getting his hands down at the top of the route, not grabbing, understanding when is the point to take your hand off WRs. At the beginning of the stage, yes, be violent with your hands, move your feet. But as they start to go in the move area, we’ve got to drop our hands,” Wilson told ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
Some Good News and Some Bad News With Brownlee
Brownlee is really good against the run.
Last season, he ranked 17th at his position against the run, per Pro Football Focus. In 2025, he has been even better, ranking 5th best against the run, per PFF via Rosenblatt.
However, he hasn’t fared as well against the pass.
“[Brownlee has] allowed 663 yards, 4 TDs, and a 104.1 rating in coverage — 14th most yards allowed among corners last year. In 2025: He’s allowed 8 catches on 10 targets for 59 yards and a TD,” Rosenblatt revealed.
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