Now that the offseason is over, it’s time to update you on former Jets players and how they’ve been faring with their current teams. We are covering this in three parts and will be looking at defense today having already covered the offense. We’ll move onto special teams within a day or two.
As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.
Commanders:
Linebacker Frankie Luvu is coming off a season where he was named as a second team all-pro and will
be joined in the Commanders’ front seven by Jacob Martin who was signed in the offseason.
Linebacker Nick Bellore also returns, although he will primarily play on special teams as usual.
Also: Defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes was retained on the practice squad.
Giants:
The Giants haven’t had any defensive players who are former Jets on their team all offseason.
Cowboys:
Dallas retained two defensive linemen on their active roster – Solomon Thomas and Perrion Winfrey – each of whom would have been coached by Dallas defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton while they were with the Jets. It remains to be seen how Micah Parsons’ departure and Kenny Clark’s arrival will affect those two players.
Also: Cornerback Luq Barcoo and linebacker Nick Vigil were not retained.
Eagles:
Having traded away defensive end Bryce Huff following a disappointing first year with the Eagles, the only ex-Jet remaining on the Eagles’ defense was cornerback Parry Nickerson, who had an interception against the Jets in preseason. He was signed to the practice squad.
Bears:
The Bears are another team who haven’t had any ex-Jets on their defense this year.
Packers:
The Packers retained defensive end Deslin Alexandre and safety Jaylin Simpson on their practice squad. Alexandre had a couple of sacks in preseason.
Also: Rookie linebacker Jared Bartlett and cornerbacks Corey Ballentine and Isaiah Dunn were not retained.
Vikings:
Linebacker Blake Cashman had a huge year in 2024 and will return as a starter to the Vikings this season.
Lions:
The Lions signed Jets’ starting cornerback DJ Reed during the offseason and he will start for them in 2025.
Also: The Lions picked up Barcoo after Dallas cut him but he was not retained.
Bucs:
Edge defender Haason Reddick is being touted as a bounceback candidate after his awful 2024 season with the Jets. He’ll play a big role for the Bucs this year.
Also: Cornerback Bryce Hall was retained on the practice squad but the Bucs declined an option in February to make safety Jordan Whitehead a free agent and he has been without a team ever since.
Falcons:
Cornerback Lamar Jackson was cut after a rough preseason that saw him give up 147 yards on seven catches, including a 68-yarder. He also had two penalties. Linebacker Caleb Johnson was also not retained.
Saints:
All-pro linebacker Demario Davis and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd were full-time starters for the Saints last year and will play the same roles in 2025.
Panthers:
Claud Cherelus was a useful rotational linebacker and special teamer last year and he returns to the Panthers’ active roster.
Also: Cornerback Tre Swilling was not retained but his fellow cornerback Shemar Bartholomew made it to the practice squad despite giving up three touchdowns in preseason.
49ers:
As you’d expect, Robert Saleh’s return to the 49ers’ staff saw him bring over plenty of ex-Jets defenders. The two that made the active roster were defensive end Bryce Huff, who was acquired via trade, and safety Jason Pinnock.
Also: Linebacker Chazz Surratt and defensive linemen Bruce Hector, Michael Dwumfour and Bradlee Anae were not retained.
Rams:
The Rams were another team with no defensive ex-Jets on their roster at any point this offseason.
Seahawks:
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams had a huge second half of 2024 and returns to the Seahawks starting line-up in 2025.
Also: Surratt was added to the practice squad after the 49ers released him.
Cardinals:
Linebacker Milo Eifler was released by the Cardinals back in May and hasn’t been with a team since then.
Bills:
Cornerback Brandon Codrington returns primarily for his return abilities. He returned kicks and punts in preseason.
Also: Linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo gave up seven catches for 49 yards and missed three tackles in preseason but his three special teams tackles helped him earn a practice squad spot.
Dolphins:
Defensive back Elijah Campbell returns to Miami’s secondary where he usually plays a rotational role along with contributing on special teams. Safety Ashtyn Davis will bring similar qualities. Davis has been projected to start, although an ankle injury may limit him early on in the season.
Patriots:
New England added Ballentine to their practice squad after his release from the Packers.
Browns:
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris remains a key rotational linemen for the Browns but looks set to come off the bench this year.
He’s joined on defense by defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse who they claimed on waivers.
Also: Edge Elerson Smith retired during the offseason and safety Trey Dean was cut and not retained.
Steelers:
The Steelers have two ex-Jets in their secondary as they brought in cornerback Brandin Echols and safety Chuck Clark.
Also: Defensive lineman Domenique Davis ended up on injured reserve.
Bengals:
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was a starter last year but missed the second half of the season and was cut in February. Safety and “Mr. Irrelevant” Jaylen Key was also not retained.
Ravens:
Defensive back Art Maulet was released in March after two years with the Ravens.
Titans:
Cornerback and special teamer Justin Hardee re-signed in April but was then released again less than three weeks later and hasn’t been signed since.
Colts:
Ballentine was also in Indianapolis briefly, before he re-joined the Packers.
Texans:
At defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi is reunited with Sheldon Rankins after the pair played together in 2021. Right now, it looks like Rankins might start with Fatukasi coming off the bench.
Also: Defensive backs Jalen Mills and Art Maulet were not retained after being with the team in preseason. Mills had one interception.
Jaguars:
The Jaguars are the final AFC team that didn’t have any ex-Jets on defense this offseason.
Broncos:
John Franklin-Myers returns to the Broncos’ defensive line after an excellent 2024 season.
Also: Dwumfour also signed for Denver during preseason but only lasted five days.
Raiders:
Defensive tackle Leki Fotu is hoping for a bounce-back year after he was hurt for most of 2024 in his only year as a Jet. Joining him on the active roster is Jamal Adams who is also hoping for a bounce-back, having moved to linebacker.
Also: Linebacker Brandon Smith, not to be confused with the current Jets wide receiver with the same name, was not retained.
Chiefs:
Defensive tackle Mike Pennel had a poor preseason, which may have been behind the Chiefs’ decision to bring back Derrick Nnadi via trade. Pennel was not retained on the practice squad.
Chargers:
Finally, the Chargers signed Del’Shawn Phillips back in March and he should contribute for them as a rotational linebacker and special teamer.
Also: Defensive back Nehemiah Shelton was not retained.
