Bless Austin isn’t one to grow complacent.
The Jets’ second-year cornerback out of Rutgers feels he left a lot of plays on the field during his rookie campaign. With a chance to start in 2020, he’s vowed to become a more consistent presence in the Jets’ secondary for the 2020 season.
“Definitely a learning process,” Austin said when asked to evaluate his rookie season by Jets team reporter Olivia Landis. “Cause honestly I feel like I definitely didn’t play up to my capabilities. A lot of plays, I left out there. Getting in the classroom, working out and getting together with my coaches and teammates, it’ll only get better from there, no doubt.”
Rehabbing from an ACL injury he suffered in college, Austin started the season on the PUP list. Austin was activated in November and was immediately thrown into the fire with Darryl Roberts injured and Nate Hairston benched. The Jets weren’t looking for a savior at the cornerback position, but Austin provided a steady hand that Trumaine Johnson, Roberts and Hairston never provided.
Austin got off to a hot start with his consistent and aggressive play, but he eventually found himself in Gregg Williams’ doghouse. He was benched in the second half of a Week 16 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers after allowing Dionate Johnson to beat him for a 29-yard touchdown with four seconds to go before the half. That was the last time Austin saw the field in 2019.
He finished the season with 25 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble in seven games.
Even though he was benched last year, Austin appears to be in the mix for the Jets’ No. 2 cornerback position. He’ll face competition from Arthur Maulet, Quincy Wilson, Bryce Hall and Hairston.
The Jets did a lot of remodeling to the cornerback room this offseason, but with past success and knowledge of the defense, Austin may be able to play himself back into the starting position he once held.