The Jets are going to need a new quarterback, and bringing in another wide receiver alongside Garrett Wilson is certainly a focus.
Breece Hall’s potential free agency could also push the team for help at running back, though he might end up being tagged to stay. To improve, however, the young and struggling defense requires significant upgrades.
Amid this disappointing season, one positive might be that the prospective Jets quarterback won’t struggle too much with the offensive line. It’s somewhat unusual for a team in a rebuilding phase to have a decent offensive line, but the Jets seem to have found some hope there, particularly with Armando Menbou.
The rookie, who was the seventh overall pick from Missouri State, has made quite an impression, especially for someone just starting out at such a key position. He faced off against seasoned players and held his ground effectively.
In the last game, he received commendations for his ability to keep pressure off the quarterback.
Ranking 12th among starting right tackles this season according to Pro Football Focus, the rookie, who has been of legal drinking age for just nine months, seems to be doing well.
Menbou expressed that he isn’t surprised by the transition’s smoothness.
“I left college for a reason. I knew I was ready,” said the 6-foot-4, 332-pound player after practice last Friday. “I think I had a pretty fulfilling year.”
His teammates are just as enthusiastic about his performance.
“I think he’s been a very good player for us,” remarked head coach Aaron Glenn, highlighting his skills in both pass protection and run blocking.
He made quite an impact during his debut against the Steelers, managing to prevent TJ Watt from sacking quarterback Justin Fields.
Joe Tippman, who switched from center to right guard, praised Menbou for stepping into his role confidently and consistently throughout the season, especially during a challenging time when Aliyah Vera-Tucker went down. “I’m definitely proud of how he managed it,” he said.
Menbou and the offensive line represent a rare bright spot in a season marked by struggles as the team tries to establish a foundation for the future.
Alongside Tippman, center Josh Myers, left tackle Olu Fashanu, and left guard John Simpson, they’ve played every game together, which might avert future disruptions. However, it’s uncertain how the impending free agency choices for Vera-Tucker and Simpson will play out.
This kind of unity could really help strengthen the squad and protect the next player the front office decides to make the Jets’ quarterback of the future.
“This year we were pretty healthy apart from AVT because we were able to chat with the players,” Menbou noted. “We feel like this group has a chance to be special.”
“I think my rookie year I saw 13 or 14 different starting O-lines,” Tippman reflected in his third year. “Having this stability is crucial for our growth.”
The season’s progression hasn’t yielded the results desired; three quarterbacks took hits, but injuries weren’t severe. As for Brady Cook, the undrafted rookie QB, he faced a particularly rough game against New Orleans, being sacked eight times due to hesitancy in his decisions.
Expectations for the remaining games are quite low, and the upcoming match against the Patriots seems likely to be another tough outing.
Nevertheless, in a previous loss in Foxborough, the Jets’ offensive line managed to secure 140 rushing yards averaging 5.0 yards per carry, while the passing game was a different story altogether.
When asked about the rematch, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel highlighted the Jets’ offensive line. “It’s really fun to watch their offensive line,” he noted. “They have a very young group, and I admire the energy of those on the inside.”
