With free agency well underway, we’re going to provide some analysis and assign grades to the moves made by the Jets.
The Jets had a lot of holes to fill with veterans Aaron Rodgers, CJ Mosley and Davante Adams all having been released and other key pieces such as Morgan Moses, Ashtyn Davis and D.J. Reed leaving in free agency.
Here’s what we think of what they’ve done...
QB Justin Fields: Agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $40 million
This is the move that will define the early part of new GM Darren Mougey’s tenure, but given what was available, Fields was probably the best option for the team in terms of where they currently stand.
The 26-year-old former first-round pick has struggled for most of his four years in the NFL, but New York will be hoping that leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start last season is the first sign that he’s beginning to realize his true potential.
Fields will reunite with his college teammate Garrett Wilson and bring some excitement to the Jets’ offense with his running ability.
Importantly, if things don’t work out for Fields in New York, it’s not the kind of financial commitment that will set the Jets back several years. They would still be able to explore alternatives in the draft and on the open market over the next few offseasons.
We broke down the pros and cons of this move in more detail earlier this week.
Grade: B-
TE Stone Smartt: Agreed to a one-year deal
Smartt doesn't have very impressive statistics with just 31 career catches, but unlike current Jets tight ends Jeremy Ruckert and Zack Kuntz, he's shown some recent flashes of real promise.
Whether he has starter potential remains to be seen, but it's a low-cost gamble, and even if the Jets make other additions at the position in free agency or the draft, Smartt looks like a good bet to compete for a role.
Grade: C+
CB Brandon Stephens: Agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $36 million
With Reed departing, the Jets needed another starting cornerback, and the former third-round pick has plenty of experience starting on a top-level defense in Baltimore. Head coach Aaron Glenn, himself a former Pro Bowl corner, will no doubt feel confident that he can continue to develop Stephens and that he'll fit the defensive system.
Stephens’ 2024 season was disappointing after he played well in 2023, but the 27-year-old is obviously someone the Jets are banking on to become more reliable as he reaches his prime. They’ll need him to bounce back this season because he may be targeted more with Sauce Gardner on the other side.
Grade: C
S Andre Cisco: Agreed to terms on a one-year contract for $10 million
The Jets also needed to fill holes at the safety position with Chuck Clark, Jalen Mills and Ashtyn Davis all free agents. Cisco gives the Jets a 24-year-old former third-round pick with plenty of starting experience and some much-needed playmaking ability as he intercepted four passes in 2023 and three in 2022.
Like Stephens, Cisco had a down year in 2024 and was even benched at one point, but the Jets will be hoping that he’ll similarly bounce back now that he’s getting a fresh start. Since he’s on a one-year contract, he’ll also be motivated to prove himself worthy of a longer-term deal.
Grade: C