One of the Jets’ former Pro Bowl defenders is returning to New York.
Former cornerback Antonio Cromartie announced Sunday that he will take part in the NFL’s Bill Walsh Internship with the Jets during training camp.
“Ready [to] “I hope to learn as much as I can during this time,” Cromartie wrote. “Thank you to Coach Saleh and staff for this opportunity!!!”
Cromartie played five seasons with the Jets and was selected to two Pro Bowls during his time in the green and white uniform.
From 2010-2013, the 6-foot-2 cornerback recorded 13 interceptions, which was tied for 14th-most in the NFL.
The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship began in 1987 and is open to former NFL players or those with coaching experience at the high school, collegiate or other professional level.
According to the NFL’s football operations website, the position was “designed as a job training tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches.”
Cromartie, 40, last played in 2016 before moving into coaching and working as an analyst at Division II St. Augustine’s University in 2023.
Previously, Cromartie was a defensive graduate assistant at Texas A&M in 2021 and worked as an intern with the Jets in 2018 as a Bill Walsh Fellow.
Since its inception, the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship has been a proven program in facilitating the advancement of top coaches.
Alumni of the program include Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and former Panthers and Commanders head coach Ron Rivera.
Cromartie will have the opportunity to learn under one of the NFL’s best defensive staffs, featuring Saleh, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and cornerbacks coach Tony Oden.
Other current Jets coaches who participated in the Walsh Fellowship include tight ends coach Ron Middleton, offensive line assistant coach Ben Wilkerson and offensive assistant Junior Taylor.
From watching Aaron Rodgers throw darts to observing new additions like Mike Williams and Tyron Smith to shadowing Cromartie on the sidelines, there’s plenty to see at Jets training camp.
The team is scheduled to return to full camp on July 23rd.
