Now that we are at the end of the season, it’s time to update you on former Jets players. how they fared during the 2025 season and their contractual status heading into next year. We will cover this in five parts, looking at offensive and defensive players from AFC teams this week, then NFC teams next week before closing with a look at special teamers. We continue today with a review of ex-Jets defensive players who were on AFC teams in 2025.

As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.

Cornerback Brandon Codrington only played 10 defensive snaps before being released to the practice squad and hasn’t been retained.

Linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo played on special teams in his one appearance but signed a futures deal having ended the season on the practice squad.

Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis had 13 tackles in six games as a rotational lineman but is now out of contract.

Safety Ashtyn Davis started 12 games and had a career-high 65 tackles. He also broke up four passes and had a forced fumble and an interception.

Defensive back Elijah Campbell played in 10 games but was only on the field for 16 defensive snaps.

Another defensive back, Kendall Sheffield, was elevated twice from the practice squad and made two appearances, with one tackle. He has not been retained.

Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III has played in six games, including three (so far) in the playoffs. He had eight tackles and a quarterback hit in a reserve role.

Defensive tackle Shelby Harris played every game but started just five times as he had 32 tackles, four pass breakups and a sack.

Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse ended up with the Giants having failed to generate any stats in five appearances that saw him mostly on special teams.

Also: Linebacker Mark Robinson was on the practice squad for a week in December but did not play.

Cornerback Brandin Echols and safety Chuck Clark both contributed on defense for the Steelers. Echols had some big plays despite just starting three games as he ended up with 48 tackles, six pass breakups, a sack, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He intercepted another pass in the playoffs.

Clark played in 15 games, starting five. He had 51 tackles and three pass breakups along with another six tackles and a pass breakup in the postseason. He is a free agent but Echols remains under contract for 2026.

Robinson also spent time with the Steelers before ending up in Cleveland. He played two games, solely on special teams.

Also: Defensive lineman Domenique Davis was eventually released from injured reserve.

Defensive tackle Mike Pennel ended up in Kansas City but did first play in eight games with Cincinnati, recording 15 tackles.

The Ravens added defensive end Carl Lawson to their practice squad, and he played in one game, recording one tackle. He was not retained.

The Titans haven’t had any ex-Jets on defense all year.

The Colts traded for Sauce Gardner but he played just four times for them, missing the rest of the games with a calf issue. He had 16 tackles and three pass breakups but Indianapolis won just one of the four games.

Folorunso Fatukasi and Sheldon Rankins were reunited on the defensive interior in Houston although Fatukasi was limited to one start in four total appearances. He had eight tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Rankins started every game and had 35 tackles, three sacks, nine quarterback hits and a huge fumble return for a touchdown. Both he and Fatukasi are now out of contract.

With Fatukasi out, the Texans brought in Leki Fotu as reinforcements and he had three tackles in two games off the practice squad but wasn’t retained.

Defensive back Jalen Mills was brought back and made four appearances with one start before ending up in Detroit. He had four tackles and an interception.

The Jaguars are the only other AFC team that didn’t have any ex-Jets on defense this season.

John Franklin-Myers heads to free agency after another solid year that saw him record 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. He ended up starting 15 games and recording 25 tackles.

Also: Defensive back Tanner McCalister spent time on the practice squad but wasn’t retained.

Before ending up in Houston, Fotu played in six games with the Raiders, four of which were starts. He had eight tackles and a sack.

Jamal Adams revived his career to an extent by taking on a linebacker role, although he is now a free agent. He started four of 17 games and had 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

Linebacker Jamin Davis was signed to the practice squad and inked a futures deal after the season. He had three tackles in two games off the practice squad, one of which he started.

After being acquired from the Jets, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi played a significant role with 15 appearances including 11 starts. He had 16 tackles.

Pennel was also brought back after leaving the Bengals and he made eight appearances with two starts and had 11 tackles. Both Nnadi and Pennel are now free agents.

Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips mostly contributed on special teams but did start one game and had 37 tackles despite playing just 82 defensive snaps. He added a sack and a fumble recovery and also saw action on defense in the wild card game. He is now a free agent.

Finally, safety Marcus Maye was brought in and made a late-season appearance in which he was credited with five tackles. He was not retained.

Check back here next week when we’ll be covering ex-Jets special teamers and how they’ve performed on their current teams…