n 2023 it looked like the New York Jets might have the best young cornerback tandem in the league. The combination of Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II led the Jets defense to top five finished in yards, completions, attempts, and touchdowns. Simply put, teams were not throwing on them. But after a bad 2024 season, a new coaching staff, and an expiring contract means that Carter is fighting for a long term spot on this roster next season.
It is no secret that Carter experienced some significant regression in 2024. A Week 5 injury put him on the sideline early in the season, and when he returned it was clear he was not at full capacity. Whether it was a lingering injury, or his inconsistent play, he rarely saw the field in the latter portion of the year.
The young corner cashed out after his dominant 2023 campaign, signing a three year, $30 million extension that keeps him in NY until 2027, but there’s a catch. Built into this contract was a potential out following the 2025-26 season. The dead cap hit would only be $8 million to get out of the last two years of his deal.
With an almost entirely new coaching staff looking to put their stamp on the team, an out like this could be tempting. It will be up to Michael Carter II to prove that he is even better than the player he once was, or else the Jets have a fast track to moving on.
Michael Carter Speaks On Down Year
In an interview with the New York Post, Carter spoke on the mental toll his rough season took on him. He said dealing with the nagging injuries wasn’t as tough as letting down his team on the field was.
“It was super tough, more mentally than physically,” Carter said last month via the New York Post. “Everything physically was going on, but mentally I was just trying to make sure I was kind of staying in it, staying enthused, not being down and trying to prepare the best I could so I could help my teammates and at least try to make an effort to make it through a game and be out there for those guys because I want it so bad. I knew what was at stake for everybody who was here last year.
“I definitely wanted to make sure I did everything I could to do what I could for them. It was one of those things that it didn’t work out, but I’m in a lot better place now.”
Carter says now more than ever he is leaning on the Jets leadership to help him get back to a good place.
Head Coach Aaron Glenn Is Excited About What He Can Do
Head Coach Aaron Glenn is putting any speculation about the young corner’s future to rest, at least for now. In the same NYP article, Glenn spoke on the position Carter has carved out for himself as the nickel corner. This is not an every down role, but it is becoming increasingly more prevalent in today’s NFL.
“The good thing about him, now he’s healthy, and he has twitch, he’s tough. He understands the nickel position…” Glenn told reporters. “He does a really good job of that, and he’s extremely smart also. So, to have a guy with the skill set that he has and that’s extremely smart, like those are the type of guys you really want in that nickel spot, so he’s doing a good job for us.”