The New York Jets lost veteran cornerback D.J. Reed to an extremely familiar NFL team, but it's not the worst-case scenario.

Not only did the New York Jets keep a key defender under wraps, they also reeled in a free-agent quarterback. Then they got busy again, agreeing to a $36 million deal with former Ravens defensive back Brandon Stephens to replace the loss of D.

It didn't take long for D.J. Reed to find a new home after his three-year run with the New York Jets. It also didn't take the Jets long to find his replacement. Hours after the veteran cornerback signed a three-year deal to join the Detroit Lions,

The New York Jets need a starting cornerback this offseason. Whether it comes from the 2025 Draft or Free Agency is irrelevant. With D.J. Reed leaving for free agency, it's pretty clear New York is going to actually need to address the cornerback position again early in 2025.

Read the recent NFL news and rumors for fantasy football. Former New York Jets and pending free agent cornerback D.J. Reed

Stephens comes to the Jets after a down year with the Ravens after giving up a passer rating of over 100 when targeted and deflecting 10 total passes on the season. Stephens entered the league as a safety and has built a reputation of being a fearless tackler and cover-corner.

The New York Jets may have a huge hole to fill on the defensive side of the ball this year with cornerback D.J. Reed likely to move on in free agency. With that in mind, there's a Jets prediction out there that has them signing a young cornerback projected to make $45 million in free agency.

Despite his ties to Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, cornerback D.J. Reed signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency.

Reed, 28, was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. The seven-year veteran played his last three seasons with the New York Jets. Since entering the league, the talented defensive back has recorded six interceptions, 51 passes defensed and 414 combined tackles.

The Detroit Lions have reportedly already found their replacement for Carlton Davis, with the team inking former New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed to a three-year deal.