What a weird way to explain trading away a young, talented, starting-caliber player (Jarvis Brownlee) on a rookie contract for next to nothing … https://t.co/xmxLGAXOEx

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) November 5, 2025

The New York Jets acquired cornerback Jarvis Brownlee via trade from the Tennessee Titans earlier this season, exchanging sixth-and-seventh-round-picks in the 2026 NFL draft.

It was a minor price to pay for the Jets to acquire a sophomore cornerback with starter’s potential. Brownlee has since taken over the Jets’ nickel corner job, prompting a trade that sent Michael Carter II to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brownlee may actually be the Jets’ best cornerback following the Sauce Gardner trade. Life comes at you fast in the NFL.

The Brownlee acquisition paid immediate dividends, with the scrappy corner helping make a game-winning play on fourth down against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8.

Titans fans were left confused why the rebuilding organization would trade an ascending player for such little return. Well, their general manager Mike Borgonzi explained the decision in a post-trade deadline press conference.

Borgonzi essentially admitted Brownlee was a poor culture fit in Tennessee.

“You are evaluating the fit, and without getting into a lot of details … we don’t have the culture right now sometimes to help guys develop,” Borgonzi said about Brownlee. “We thought at the time some of the habits weren’t conducive to building the culture right now.”

The Jets (1-7) obviously felt better about their culture, something first-year head coach Aaron Glenn has been working to improve despite the lack of on-field success.

For what it’s worth, Brownlee seemingly hasn’t caused any issues in the locker room. Coach Glenn and the defensive staff have raved about his work ethic and approach.

The Titans soured on Brownlee in-house. New York took advantage of an opportunity to acquire an ascending young player for little capital.

The Jets don’t regret that decision, as Brownlee is now their keynote cornerback following the Gardner trade.