As the 2025 NFL season wraps up, it’s a good time to check in on some familiar faces - specifically, former Jets defenders who suited up for AFC teams this past year. From key contributors to practice squad stints, these ex-Jets found varying levels of success across the league. Let’s break down who landed where, how they performed, and what their contract status looks like heading into 2026.
Buffalo Bills
Brandon Codrington saw limited action - just 10 defensive snaps before being shuffled to the practice squad. He wasn’t retained after the season.
Jimmy Ciarlo made a single appearance on special teams and wrapped up the year on the practice squad. He’s sticking around, having signed a futures deal.
Phidarian Mathis contributed as a rotational defensive tackle, registering 13 tackles over six games. He’s now a free agent.
Miami Dolphins
Ashtyn Davis had arguably the most productive year of his career. The safety started 12 games, racked up 65 tackles (a personal best), broke up four passes, and added both a forced fumble and an interception. That’s a solid all-around season for a player who’s carved out a meaningful role in Miami’s secondary.
Elijah Campbell appeared in 10 games but was mostly a non-factor on defense, logging just 16 snaps.
Kendall Sheffield was elevated from the practice squad twice, making two appearances and notching one tackle. He wasn’t retained.
New England Patriots
Leonard Taylor III saw action in six games, including three playoff contests. The rookie defensive tackle had eight tackles and a quarterback hit, contributing in a rotational role as New England made a postseason push.
Cleveland Browns
Shelby Harris was a steady presence on the Browns’ defensive line. He played in every game, starting five, and totaled 32 tackles, four pass breakups, and a sack - a solid veteran campaign.
Jarrick Bernard-Converse eventually landed with the Giants after a brief stint in Cleveland. He played five games, primarily on special teams, and didn’t record any defensive stats.
Mark Robinson had a short stay on the Browns’ practice squad in December but didn’t see game action.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers got meaningful contributions from a pair of ex-Jets in the secondary.
Brandin Echols started just three games but made his presence felt. He finished with 48 tackles, six pass breakups, a sack, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He added another pick in the playoffs - a strong showing that should keep him in the mix heading into 2026, as he remains under contract.
Chuck Clark, coming off a major injury, played in 15 games and started five. He tallied 51 tackles and three pass breakups during the regular season, then added six more tackles and another pass breakup in the postseason. He’s now a free agent.
Mark Robinson also spent time in Pittsburgh earlier in the year, appearing in two games on special teams before heading to Cleveland.
Domenique Davis was released from injured reserve during the season and didn’t return to action.
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Pennel started the year in Cincinnati, playing in eight games and recording 15 tackles before moving on to Kansas City.
Baltimore Ravens
Carl Lawson was a late-season addition to the Ravens' practice squad and made one appearance, registering a single tackle. He wasn’t retained.
Tennessee Titans
No former Jets defenders suited up for the Titans in 2025.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts made a splash by trading for Sauce Gardner, but his impact was limited due to a calf injury. He played in only four games, collecting 16 tackles and three pass breakups. The Colts won just one of those games, making it a frustrating short-term return on investment.
Houston Texans
The Texans reunited Folorunso Fatukasi and Sheldon Rankins on the interior defensive line. Fatukasi was limited to four games (one start) but still managed eight tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Sheldon Rankins had a strong year, starting every game and finishing with 35 tackles, three sacks, nine QB hits, and a memorable fumble return for a touchdown. Both players are now free agents.
Leki Fotu came in as depth after Fatukasi’s injury, logging three tackles in two games. He wasn’t retained.
Jalen Mills returned briefly, making four appearances (one start) before moving on to Detroit. He had four tackles and an interception during his stint.
Jacksonville Jaguars
No former Jets defenders played for the Jaguars this season.
Denver Broncos
John Franklin-Myers put together a quietly productive season in Denver. He started 15 games, racked up 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits, and added 25 tackles. Now he heads into free agency as one of the more intriguing pass-rushing options on the market.
Tanner McCalister spent time on the practice squad but didn’t appear in a game and wasn’t retained.
Las Vegas Raiders
Leki Fotu played six games (four starts) with the Raiders before heading to Houston, contributing eight tackles and a sack.
Jamal Adams found a bit of a second wind by shifting into a linebacker role. He started four of 17 games and posted 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. He’s now a free agent.
Jamin Davis joined the practice squad, made two appearances (one start), and logged three tackles. He signed a futures deal after the season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Nnadi, acquired from the Jets, became a key piece of the Chiefs’ defensive front. He played in 15 games, starting 11, and had 16 tackles.
Mike Pennel, after his time with the Bengals, rejoined the Chiefs and added 11 tackles in eight appearances (two starts). Both Nnadi and Pennel are now free agents.
Los Angeles Chargers
Del’Shawn Phillips mostly made his mark on special teams but did draw one start. Despite playing just 82 defensive snaps, he recorded 37 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
He also saw defensive action in the Chargers’ wild card game. He’s now a free agent.
Marcus Maye was a late-season addition and made one appearance, notching five tackles. He wasn’t retained.
As we head into the offseason, it’s clear that former Jets defenders have found ways to contribute across the AFC - some as key starters, others in more limited roles. With several now hitting free agency, it’ll be interesting to see where they land in 2026 and whether any find their way back to MetLife - or continue making noise elsewhere.