The NFL has always been a copycat league. The New York Jets have just been late to the memo too many times.
New York has missed the playoffs in 14 consecutive seasons, including sub-.500 finishes in the last nine campaigns. Along the way, they have tried several quarterbacks, coaches, and executives.
If the Jets truly want to turn around their team, though, there’s one main thing they need to do. And it’s something that a segment of the Jets’ fanbase needs to understand if they ever want the organization to get through its struggles.
Jets Must Mirror Defending Champs
If there’s a major constant from the Jets over their 14-year playoff drought – outside of the obvious coach and quarterback misses – it’s the fact they have been unable to field a dominant offensive line during that stretch.
Multiple executives have tried their best to solve the obvious needs along the offensive line, but all of them have failed.
For the first time in years, though, the Jets have a chance to finally put the finishing touches on the line. If the organization drafts any of the top three tackle prospects – Missouri’s Armand Membou, LSU’s Will Campbell, or Texas’ Kelvin Banks – they would solve the final hole on their line.
Just how important is that for a team? Just look at the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles as an example.
Philly dominated the league in 2024 largely due to its offensive line, which was the best group in football. The combination of Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, and Lane Johnson was sturdy in pass protection and dominant on the ground.
If the Jets want to match the defending champion Eagles, they’ll need to find the last piece of the puzzle.
A right tackle.
A combination of Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and a player like Membou would be one of the best overall lines the Jets have had in decades.
And if the Jets truly want to compete for championships (which should be the end goal for the team), they need to figure out a way to mirror what the Eagles have done over the years.
That is why solidifying the offensive line will be at the top of the list moving forward – even if it means passing on flashier positions.
Some members of the fanbase might be upset with the “boring” selection of another offensive lineman instead of an exciting playmaker, like Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. However, as Philadelphia has shown, fortifying the line is the smartest way for New York to return to contention.
