The Baltimore Ravens have officially lost another free agent, as defensive back Brandon Stephens has signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the New York Jets. That's a lot of money for the product Stephens put on the field in 2024.The move comes after the Ravens re-signed Ronnie Stanley but opted not to bring back Stephens, who will now look to solidify a starting role in New York.
This marks the second Ravens free agent to leave in the opening days of free agency, following Patrick Mekari’s deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So far, it looks like Baltimore’s plan has been to keep key pieces in place while letting the market dictate the fate of others. That’s not a huge surprise. The Ravens aren’t the type to overextend themselves in free agency, and with a strong secondary already in place, they must have felt comfortable moving on.
For the Jets, this move comes after they lost D.J. Reed to the Detroit Lions on a three-year, $48 million deal earlier in the day. With a hole opposite Sauce Gardner, they needed a replacement fast—and they’re hoping Stephens is the right fit.
Brandon Stephens is taking his talents to the NY Jets
Stephens had an up-and-down tenure in Baltimore, showing flashes of promise but also struggling in coverage at times. He finished 2024 with 70 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 10 passes defended, but Pro Football Focus graded his coverage at 50.7, ranking 174th out of 223 cornerbacks. He also allowed a 107.4 passer rating, which suggests he had significant trouble locking down opposing receivers—something pretty obvious on Sundays.
That said, the Jets clearly believe in his potential. At 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds, he has the size and physicality to be a strong outside corner, and his versatility was one of his biggest assets in Baltimore.
He spent time at safety and cornerback and often took on tough matchups. If New York can put him in a scheme that better suits his strengths, there’s reason to believe he could take a step forward.
As for the Ravens, they now shift their focus to a secondary that still features Marlon Humphrey, rookie standout Nate Wiggins, and potentially second-year cornerback T.J. Tampa. With their struggles in pass defense last season, Baltimore was always going to make changes. Letting Stephens walk signals their confidence in their young talent—and their willingness to explore other options in the draft or free agency.
Stephens gets a fresh start, the Jets fill a need, and the Ravens move forward. This one could make sense for everyone.