Cornerback Michael Carter II Sets Sights on 2025 Season
When asked about his ambitions for the 2025 season, Jets cornerback Michael Carter II offered a straightforward response: “It will be available,” he mentioned after practice on Thursday.
This perspective comes after a challenging 2024 season that saw Carter battling ankle and back injuries. Now, he’s fully healthy and eager to make a comeback.
For him, the priority is playing in every game this year. In his first three seasons, Carter proved himself as one of the top nickel corners in the NFL. The Jets rewarded him with a three-year, $30.75 million contract extension prior to last year, but then injuries struck.
A high right ankle sprain during training camp limited his performance for the first five weeks of the season, and a herniated disc in his back sidelined him for nearly three games. Even when he made a return, he wasn’t quite the same player.
As he enters 2025, Carter is focused on reclaiming the form that earned him that contract last year.
“In the end, I just want to be productive,” Carter expressed. “I want to be an All-Pro. It’s crucial for me to perform at my best so I can earn my teammates’ trust as they place their faith in me.”
The back injury was particularly peculiar. Carter first felt discomfort in his right foot while warming up for a game against the Vikings in London during week five. He ended up playing just one snap and couldn’t continue. Initially, the Jets suspected a hamstring issue, but when an MRI revealed it was clear, further investigation showed the herniated disc.
Carter missed the next two games before returning against the Patriots, but his return was short-lived.
“Everything seemed fine until I made a tackle in an awkward way, and that’s when it all flared up again,” Carter recounted. “It was really frustrating. I had to find a way to accept what happened.”
Throughout the remainder of the season, Carter struggled to stay in the lineup and was not at his best. Once the offseason came, he turned to physical therapy to address his back and focused on strengthening his core.
The Jets are counting on Carter’s return to bolster a defense that faltered in 2024.
“I think some of it was just the routine we built. It wasn’t consistent week-to-week,” Carter commented about last season. “We’ve talked about our identity in the DB room, and how we need to redefine it. It was oddly tough to do that. Now, it feels like we’re starting to build that confidence back.”
He’s found encouragement in his new coach early in training camp.
“Defensive coordinator Steve Wilkes has a great understanding of running games, blocking schemes, and how to adjust,” Carter noted. “I really like what I’ve seen so far.”
Reflecting on last year’s performance and the pressure of expectations, Carter admitted he was concerned about letting the Jets down after they invested in him, but now he’s intent on proving his value.
“You start to think, ‘Did they make a mistake?’ That worry crossed my mind,” Carter confessed. “But I’ve learned that timing is everything and I’m committed to being part of something special this season.”
