David Bailey was a Jets 'flame thrower' in breakout performance that's an exciting sign for defense

Rookie edge rusher David Bailey turned a breakout into a statement for the New York Jets on Sunday, producing a 17-12 win over Cleveland. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn celebrated inside the locker room while Bailey’s impact dominated the numbers: three sacks, seven tackles, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and nine pressures. The Jets’ pass rush, previously inconsistent, combined to sack Deshaun Watson eight times. Glenn said Bailey was “relentless,” highlighting his ability to bend, dip, use power at the edge, and finish with force. The No. 2 overall pick entered the league with a slow start—two sacks in his first four games—but he’s surged. Bailey also received praise for his run-game work from Geno Smith and others. Stats Perform noted Bailey became the seventh player in 25 years to record three sacks in his first five games, and the first since Aidan Hutchinson in 2022.