David Bailey Shines in Jets’ Victory Over Browns

The Jets finally got the version of David Bailey they had eagerly anticipated. This performance—if he can keep it up—might just justify their decision to select him at No. 2 overall, especially considering other options they passed on.

It wasn’t until Week 5, during the Jets’ 17-12 win against the Browns at MetLife Stadium, that Bailey stepped up and produced the best game of his career. There had been mounting pressure on him leading into this matchup, so the timing was crucial.

Bailey recorded three sacks, tying for the team lead with seven tackles, and he set a new record for rookie pressures in a single game with nine—an achievement not seen since Jared Verse in 2024.

His slow start was particularly noticeable since he was compared to Giants rookie Arvell Reese, picked just three spots after Bailey. However, the linebacker started to quiet those early concerns with his performance on Sunday.

“I don’t really use social media,” Bailey mentioned, “so I can’t say what people are saying. I think what really matters is the feedback from my coaches and teammates.”

One of his standout moments came during a critical third-and-30 in the fourth quarter, right after the Jets had extended their lead to 10-6. He burst past Cleveland’s Spencer Fano to take down Deshaun Watson.

He further contributed by stopping running back Quinshon Judkins for no gain on a significant second-and-3 play, and he caused a crucial fourth-and-6 situation with less than a minute remaining.

Bailey began changing the course of his rookie season early in the game. He tackled running back Raheim Sanders for just a yard on Cleveland’s opening drive and followed that up with a sack on the very next Browns possession. He seized the moment when Watson fumbled the snap, even though the whistle blew before he could bring the quarterback down, which earned him a smile and praise from his teammates.

Interestingly, Bailey’s second sack was quite straightforward, as he found himself with a clear lane to rush Watson without any obstruction at the line of scrimmage.

However, given the expectations that come with being the second overall pick, this moment felt significant for him. “That’s who David is,” acknowledged head coach Aaron Glenn, referring to the edge rusher who had tallied only two sacks and 18 tackles in his first four games. “We expected this performance.”

Bailey recorded the most sacks by a Jets player in a game since Will McDonald IV had four against the Browns the previous season. With this performance, he leads all rookies in both pressures at 26 and sacks with five. He may even be on track to match his previous record of 14½ sacks from his time at Texas Tech.

Edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare remarked that Bailey’s performance was “nothing new,” reinforcing the Jets’ confidence that it was only a matter of time before he showcased his full potential. “It felt good, man,” Bailey said. “It was reassuring to know I can compete at this level.”