Jets Surprisingly Cut CB Bless Austin Among Several Roster Moves

The New York Jets released a projected starting cornerback as they reshape their young secondary.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:28am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color in blues, greens, and oranges, conveying the dynamic energy and shifting perspectives of the sport.The Jets' young secondary faces a pivotal moment as the team moves on from a projected starter, opening the door for new talent to emerge.Queens Today

The New York Jets have released cornerback Bless Austin, a surprising move as he was expected to be a starter in their young secondary. The team is now looking to give more opportunities to younger players like Javelin Guidry, Brandin Echols, Jason Pinnock, and Isaiah Dunn to compete for the open starting job. The Jets also made several other roster moves, including re-signing some players they had initially cut, placing others on injured reserve, and claiming new players off waivers.

Why it matters

The Jets' decision to move on from Bless Austin, a projected starter, signals a shift towards giving their younger cornerbacks a chance to earn playing time. This reflects the team's focus on developing their young talent and creating open competition in the secondary, which could have implications for the team's defensive performance this season.

The details

The Jets released 25-year-old cornerback Bless Austin, who was entering his third season with the team and was expected to start opposite Bryce Hall. With Austin gone, second-year cornerback Javelin Guidry and rookies Brandin Echols, Jason Pinnock, and Isaiah Dunn are now in the mix to earn the starting job. The team also made several other roster moves, including re-signing tight ends Ryan Griffin and Dan Brown, and safety Sharrod Neasman, who were among the team's initial cuts. Linebacker Jarrad Davis, safety Ashtyn Davis, and offensive lineman Conor McDermott were placed on injured reserve. The Jets also claimed linebacker Quincy Williams off waivers from Jacksonville and defensive end Tim Ward from Kansas City, and are signing safety Sheldrick Redwine.

  • The Jets released cornerback Bless Austin on Wednesday, April 20, 2026.

The players

Bless Austin

A 25-year-old cornerback who was entering his third season with the Jets and was expected to be a starting cornerback.

Bryce Hall

A second-year cornerback for the Jets who was expected to start opposite Bless Austin.

Javelin Guidry

A second-year cornerback for the Jets who is now in the mix to earn a starting job.

Brandin Echols

A rookie cornerback for the Jets who is now in the mix to earn a starting job.

Jason Pinnock

A rookie cornerback for the Jets who is now in the mix to earn a starting job.

Isaiah Dunn

A rookie cornerback for the Jets who is now in the mix to earn a starting job.

Robert Saleh

The head coach of the New York Jets.

Joe Douglas

The general manager of the New York Jets.

Quincy Williams

A linebacker claimed off waivers by the Jets from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Quinnen Williams

The defensive lineman for the Jets who is the brother of Quincy Williams.

Tim Ward

A defensive end claimed off waivers by the Jets from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sheldrick Redwine

A safety the Jets are signing who was a fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very appreciative toward Bless. He's a good young man. With the youth that we have at corner and the competition they've been able to provide and the growth they've all been able to have since OTAs and training camp, we're going to give those guys a run and give them an opportunity to compete over this last week and a half and roll with those guys.”

— Robert Saleh, Head Coach, New York Jets

“Out of respect to him, give him an opportunity to find a larger role with another team. It was a very difficult decision because Bless is a stand-up guy and a hell of a competitor.”

— Joe Douglas, General Manager, New York Jets

“I come to camp looking forward to get my next contract. I don't worry about who's starting. I don't worry about none of that. I mean, I think I'm the real deal. There ain't no secret in that. Click the tape and press play, you know? Of course, I make mistakes, but there's also a lot of plays I've made on that field that other corners in this league aren't making.”

— Bless Austin

What’s next

The Jets will continue to evaluate their young cornerbacks throughout the remainder of the preseason as they determine the starting lineup for Week 1.

The takeaway

The Jets' decision to move on from Bless Austin reflects their commitment to developing their young secondary talent and creating open competition for starting roles. This shift could have significant implications for the team's defensive performance this season as they look to the next generation of cornerbacks to step up.