Rookie defensive lineman David Bailey recorded his first preseason sack on Friday night, highlighting a 17-0 victory for the New York Jets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The sack occurred on the second series of the game, with Bailey bypassing Steelers tackle Broderick Jones to bring down quarterback Will Howard for an 11-yard loss on third down.
"It felt amazing," Bailey said after the game. "It was a sense of relief. It felt good knowing my interior line did their job and the coverage did their job and just allowed me to capitalize." Bailey, whom the Jets drafted with the second overall pick in April, had previously shown promise in training camp, disrupting the team's offensive line and performing well in joint practices against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn acknowledged Bailey's performance, noting that while the rookie has areas to improve, his pass-rushing ability is evident.
Bailey played 12 snaps in the game, registering two quarterback pressures in addition to his sack. He expressed satisfaction with his training camp performance, stating, "I feel like camp has been pretty good. I’ve been trying to soak in everything while just trying to get better. It’s been a great experience."
Defensive Playmakers Emerge
The Jets' defense also saw progress in its quest to end a notable interception drought. The team recorded two interceptions against Steelers quarterback Will Howard. Safety Andre Cisco secured the first pick, halting a Steelers drive, while cornerback Sam Womack intercepted Howard just before halftime. The Jets set an NFL record in 2025 with zero interceptions, a streak that defensive players have openly focused on ending. "We were celebrating for our guys," said cornerback Brandon Stephens. "It was good to see. We went a whole year without seeing it. Just to get that feeling back of getting an interception, two of them, it was big time."
Special Teams and Injury Updates
The competition at kicker continued. Cade York missed a 59-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half, while Jason Sanders successfully converted a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, extending the Jets' lead to 10-0. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and edge rusher Joseph Ossai did not play as the team manages their integration into practice. Tight end Chase Curtis left the game with a knee injury. Defensive end Nate Lynn, who signed with the team earlier in the week, recorded two sacks. Linebacker Kiko Mauigoa was sidelined due to a sore hamstring.