We’re approaching Week 3 of the NFL season, but there’s one glaring liability in the New York Jets defense that is usually reliable.

Slot corner Michael Carter II has struggled (heavy emphasis on struggled) through the first two weeks of the season, and it’s starting to get Jets fans concerned.

Prior to the 2024 season, the Jets rewarded Carter with a hefty three-year contract extension worth over $30 million and $13 million guaranteed.

It was a contract well deserved since Carter became one of New York’s most reliable defenders.

In 2023, he limited receivers to just 4.8 yards per target, and according to PFF, “he allowed just one touchdown and eight first downs in 2023, giving up just 0.62 yards per coverage snap.”

A truly insane stat. It’s no wonder why Jets owner Woody Johnson was so exuberant to break out the checkbook.

Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last.

One Jets writer in particular, Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor is alarmed, and for good reason.

He goes on to write about how the poor start to the season is just a continuation of his prior struggles. 

“In 2024, Carter II came nowhere close to the level of production that earned him his extension. Despite playing less than half as many coverage snaps as in 2023 (190 vs. 434), he allowed nearly the same number of yards (215 vs. 258). Carter II also had the highest missed tackle rate of his career at 14.8%, three points above his career average.”

Nania goes on to say that Carter did in fact deal with several injuries over the course of the 2024 season, and that it could have played a part in his down season.

From a high ankle sprain in training camp, to a back injury that he suffered in Week 5 that ended up haunting him all season, it’s no wonder why he struggled.

Unfortunately for both the Jets and Carter, the struggles haven’t stopped there.

In Week 1 against the Steelers, Carter was responsible for one 31-yard catch against his old teammate in quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and a missed tackle.

Then in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, he let up another 31-yard catch, but to put grease on the fire, it was against former Jet, Elijah Moore.

It may be a little too early for going into full blown panic mode about Carter. There’s a clear reason why he was given the extension he received, and that injuries have slowed him down.

But monitoring the situation is paramount.

Who actually knows if the Jets are going to break out of their 15 year playoff drought anytime soon. The promise has been there for years, and it’s only led to disappointment.

So it’s only right to let Carter play out the year and see if the dropoff is real.

If it is, and the Jets want to cut their losses, it can save the franchise up to $8 million.

New York’s next game is against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with kickoff at 1 p.m. on FOX.