Jets secondary needs quick rebound before Bills arrive
Sauce Gardner calls Week 1 performance 'unacceptable' as Buffalo's Josh Allen and a potent passing attack loom at MetLife Stadium
The New York Jets’ secondary has little time to regroup after a season-opening loss in which defensive lapses and missed tackles undermined an otherwise promising offensive showing, and now faces a daunting test: Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills arrive at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner described the unit’s performance as "unacceptable," calling the defense giving up 34 points "depressing." The loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers erased a strong day from the offense and an encouraging start from quarterback Justin Fields; the Jets also suffered a fumble by Xavier Gipson and several costly penalties that compounded the defensive breakdowns.
One of the main issues was a poor showing from newcomer Brandon Stephens, who the Jets signed in the offseason to a three-year, $36 million deal after he spent last year in Baltimore. According to Pro Football Focus, Stephens was targeted seven times, allowed five receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns, and was flagged for a critical defensive pass interference on the Steelers’ game-winning field goal drive. PFF ranked Stephens 100th among 116 cornerbacks last season; he gave up 72 receptions for 926 yards and five touchdowns in 2024.
Coach Aaron Glenn defended Stephens’ coverage overall but said the rookie needs to improve on "locate and finish on the ball." "Brandon has been doing a really good job in coverage, all through training camp," Glenn said. "The thing we have to continue working on with him is being able to locate and finish on the ball. I am encouraged and I do think as the season progresses he’ll be able to make those plays because he’s a really good cover guy and that showed [Sunday] on tape."
Buffalo’s passing attack represents a steep increase in difficulty. The Bills put up 41 points and 389 passing yards in a come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, and Allen spread the ball early, completing at least four passes to five different receivers. Jets coaches warned the secondary that opposing coordinators will look to avoid matchups with Gardner and instead attack other coverage options.
Sauce Gardner was one of the few bright spots Sunday. The Pro Bowl corner shadowed DK Metcalf on several snaps and limited him to a single 11-yard reception while recording two pass breakups. Glenn said having a defender stick to one receiver can simplify preparation and allow for more focused game planning. "In my career, I was able to do that on a number of occasions, and man, to me, it makes it really easy for the defender because you can really study and hone in on that guy that you’re going against," Glenn said. "I know that’s exactly what Sauce did, and there are going to be some games where we want him to be able to do that and there are going to be some games where we’re going to say, ‘play right and left.’ But it depends on the matchup, it depends on what we want to do on defense."
Other defenders did not fare as well. The Jets struggled in zone coverage and were picked apart in intermediate routes, a problem Glenn attributed more to schematic breaks than personnel alone. Inside linebacker Jamien Sherwood pointed to communication failures in coverage, while several missed tackles by Tony Adams and Michael Carter II allowed plays to extend.
The Steelers also ran effectively enough to limit New York’s pass rush, finishing with 53 rushing yards, but it was the passing game that punished New York. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in his first regular-season game as a Jet, threw four touchdown passes and targeted less reliable matchups in the secondary.
If the Jets do not clean up the issues in the secondary, opponents are likely to scheme away from Gardner and exploit matchups with Stephens, Adams and others. Glenn expressed confidence that the group can improve, noting tape and training-camp progress, while acknowledging the immediate challenge of preparing for Allen and a Bills offense that showcased fireworks in Week 1.
Sunday’s game will offer a clear early-season barometer for the Jets’ secondary: a strong outing could erase the Week 1 disappointment and validate the coaching staff’s adjustments; another poor performance would raise urgent questions about personnel and coverage schemes against the league’s elite passing attacks.