Antonio Cromartie lands internship with New York Jets

NFL retiree Antonio Cromartie announced over the weekend that he’s back in the league – in a coaching capacity that is. After serving as a graduate assistant with Texas A&M from 2021 to 2022, Cromartie has now landed an internship with one of his former teams, the New York Jets. The former Jets cornerback will work as a coaching intern during the team’s training camp, where he’ll undoubtedly have useful experience to share with one of the league’s top young corners Sauce Gardner, as well as the rest of his defensive teammates.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to do the Bill Walsh internship with @nyjets for fall camp,” Cromartie posted on X. “Ready to learn as much as I can during this time. Thank you Coach Saleh and your staff for this opportunity!!! Back to 1 Jet Dr.”

According to the NFL, the purpose of the Bill Walsh diversity coaching fellowship is to help coaches by giving them the opportunity to “observe and participate,” before they land full-time gigs.

Cromartie continues pursuit of full-time NFL coaching job

Cromartie’s Bill Walsh fellowship is the second time he’s returned to the Jets to further his post-playing career. He also was a part of the Jets coaching staff after retiring. In 2018, he served as a coaching intern under Todd Bowles, mainly working with the linebackers. After that stint, he worked as a graduate assistant for Texas A&M under Jimbo Fisher and as a defensive analyst for St. Augustine University.

Cromartie, a father of 14 at age 40, retired from the NFL after the 2016 season, which he played for the Indianapolis Colts. He entered the league in 2006 with the Chargers. The Chargers drafted the cornerback out of Florida State with the 19th overall pick in the first round despite an ACL tear that he suffered the previous year.

He had a solid first season for the Chargers in 2006, before breaking out in 2007. He had 10 interceptions to lead the league’s defenders, along with 44 tackles and a touchdown. Cromartie handled some kickoff and punt return duties for the Chargers as well.

Before the 2010 season, the Chargers traded Cromartie to the New York Jets for his first stint with the team. They traded him for a 2011 second-round draft pick. He ended up signing a four-year deal with the Jets for $32 million. Over four seasons with the Jets, he had 13 interceptions, and one touchdown. He then spent a season with the Arizona Cardinals before returning to New York for 2015.