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New York Jets defender David Bailey reacting at the 2026 NFL Draft.

The New York Jets aren’t playing around.

In the wise words of DJ Khaled, “Another One.” However, this one may be the most important of all of them. The Jets announced that they have signed pass rusher David Bailey to his rookie contract.

According to Spotrac, the full deal is for $54.6 million, which also includes a fifth-year team option. That contract is fully guaranteed for the rookie.

Bailey’s Jersey Number

Ahead of rookie minicamp, the team officially announced the jersey numbers for the 2026 class. These numbers are subject to change, but Bailey chose his old college No. 31.

“The rule change proposal was submitted by the Kansas City Chiefs to the NFL Competition Committee and approved by owners on April 21, 2021. After practice squads were expanded for the 2020 season, some teams did not have enough jersey numbers available at certain positions,” it states in the NFL’s operation manual.

“On March 28, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles proposal to the NFL Competition Committee was approved by owners to allow greater flexibility to jersey numbers, including wearing the number zero,” it states in the NFL’s operation manual.

That recent rule change opened up the possibility for Bailey to wear No. 31.

There has been an interesting combination of players who have worn the No. 31 in the Jets’ franchise history:

• Blessuan Austin
• Marion Barber Jr.
• Antonio Cromartie
• Bill Mathis
• Aaron Glenn

AG Talks About Bailey Taking His Old Number

Head coach Aaron Glenn met with the media on Friday, May 8. He was asked for his take on Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft, taking his old jersey number with the Jets.

“[Starts laughing], You know what, [pauses for three seconds], I didn’t really notice that until he picked it here. [Pauses another three seconds], I don’t know, that’s a good question, that’s a good question. He has to show out, I guess,” Glenn responded with a smile.

Glenn, 53, will turn 54 before the start of the 2026 season. He entered the league as the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 1994 NFL draft.

The former Navarro and Texas A&M product played 15 years in the NFL. He suited up for five different NFL teams. Glenn spent the first eight seasons of his career with the green and white. During his career, he was named a Pro Bowler three times.

With the Jets, Glenn appeared in 121 games and made 120 starts. He recorded 24 interceptions, three pick-sixes, 36 pass deflections, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and he finished with 396 tackles.

Bailey’s Expected Role on the 2026 Jets Defense

“Obviously, he is going to be one of the outside backers when it comes to a base defense. Then he will be a D-End when it comes to four-down defense. There are a number of things that we plan on doing with him as it comes to sub-pass rush,” Glenn said.

In other words, when the Jets are lined up in a 3-4, Bailey will be a stand-up outside linebacker. However, when they’re lined up in a 4-3, Bailey will have his hand in the dirt as a defensive end.

One of the big criticisms of Bailey during the pre-draft process was his ability, or lack thereof, in defending against the run.

“I never had an issue with his run game coming out of college. I know that’s the one thing that everyone has a knock on. Everybody tries to pick holes in every player who comes out, but I thought he was well-versed when it came to that. The reason I say that is because you saw some of these guard pulls [and] tackle pulls, and he was able to take those guys on and be able to set an edge in that aspect. So I have no issue with his run defense,” Glenn explained.

“Obviously, there are a lot of things that he is going to have to get better at, and he knows that. That is why he is here, so we can coach him up and help him with that,” Glenn added.