New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens was thrown right into the fire during the team’s first training camp practice on Wednesday.

The former Baltimore Ravens defensive back lost a tough matchup to Garrett Wilson on a couple of plays, but had a pretty solid start overall. Despite that, fans took to social media to criticize the decision to sign him, citing losing on a play to Wilson during the practice.

Those concerns, of course, were ludicrous. Stephens put forth a strong effort during Wednesday, and even won some additional battles against Wilson during Thursday’s practice as well.

Through it all, Stephens has left a strong first impression with his new coaching staff.

Jets Pleased With Brandon Stephens

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn fully understands the difficult job cornerbacks deal with in the modern NFL. As a former defensive back himself, Glenn knows that corners are put on islands and expected to stop some of the best athletes in the world, with no excuses built in.

Perhaps that is why the first-time head coach came away impressed with the way Stephens has battled through his first two practices as a member of the Jets.

“I thought he had a really good day today, and I was proud of him,” Glenn said Thursday. “There’s things that we have to work on when it comes to him playing the ball, and he understands that, but the competitive part of him was evident today. That’s what we want from all of our corners.”

Stephens’ signing was overly criticized when the deal was first announced in March. The three-year, $36 million contract was longer than any other acquisition the Jets made this offseason.

There is a reason for that, though.

Despite his struggling numbers in 2024, Stephens’ tape shows a strong cover corner who is usually in the right position. New York needed a cornerback who could play consistently opposite an All-Pro in Sauce Gardner.

Stephens is capable of filling that role.

After the Jets drafted Azareye’h Thomas in the third round of the 2025 draft, some even began to wonder if Stephens’ time at his natural corner position was coming to an end before it began.

So far, those fears appear wrong through two days of practice. Stephens is proving he deserves to be a starting corner for the Jets, and he doesn’t appear to be in hot water with his new staff.

Despite what some people may want to believe, Stephens has made a strong impact in his first few days of Jets training camp.