The New York Jets declared their mission statement at the 2025 NFL trade deadline: We’re building for the future.

Sitting at 2-8 after watching their two-game win streak snap at the hands of the New England Patriots, the Jets’ playoff pipe dreams are on the verge of officially evaporating. From here on out, everything that happens on the field for New York will be evaluated from the perspective of how it affects their outlook in 2026 and beyond.

In that regard, not everything has been perfect for the rebuilding Jets. After tearing down the core of their roster at the deadline, the Jets are left with a plethora of gaping holes that cannot be filled until they get a chance to utilize the assets yielded by their blockbuster trades.

However, there are a few spots on the roster where tantalizing long-term solutions are beginning to emerge. Some of those spots are critical, including the offensive line.

Jets’ young offensive line trio gives team a strong anchor

As the Jets prepare to welcome a new franchise quarterback (likely a rookie) in the coming years, it’s imperative for them to build a sturdy infrastructure that can support the new signal-caller. They can use the remainder of the 2025 season to figure out how many offensive building blocks they already have on the roster, and how many must be added in the offseason.

The good news for New York? Their young offensive line is quickly growing into a unit that can be trusted to protect a young passer in the coming years.

It might not seem like it based on the team’s overall offensive production, but the Jets have one of the best young offensive line cores in the NFL. Consider where their three youngest starters rank among their peers in the 2025 season (based on Pro Football Focus’ grading system):

  • Right tackle Armand Membou (age 21): Ranks as PFF’s No. 1 RT from 2025 draft class
  • Left tackle Olu Fashanu (age 22): Ranks as PFF’s No. 2 LT from 2024 draft class (Joe Alt)
  • Right guard Joe Tippmann (age 24): Ranks as PFF’s No. 2 RG from 2023 draft class (Tyler Steen)

That’s quite an excellent nucleus.

Film breakdown: Membou, Metchie, and other young Jets shine on TNF

What makes their statistical production especially impressive is that they have achieved it despite unfavorable circumstances. In both phases, the Jets’ offensive line has been dealt a bad hand.

In the pass game, New York’s linemen have been forced to block for a pair of quarterbacks who tend to hold the ball for an eternity. Between Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, the Jets have averaged 3.12 seconds to throw, ranking third-longest in the NFL behind Chicago and Philadelphia.

Fields and Taylor’s ball-holding tendencies have caused the Jets’ linemen to be tagged for allowing a litany of sacks and pressures. However, based on the film and their performance in QB-independent metrics, it’s clear that the offensive line has protected much better than their sack and pressure totals would indicate.

Additionally, the Jets’ complete lack of an aerial threat has allowed teams to sell out toward stopping the run. The Jets rarely pass the ball (275 attempts, third-fewest) and struggle when they do (4.5 net yards per attempt, third-worst), making it easy for defenses to focus on the run game. Jets running back Breece Hall has faced a stacked box on 51% of his carries, per FTN Fantasy.

Yet, the run game has remained efficient on a high volume. New York ranks third-best in yards per rush attempt (5.0) on the ninth-most attempts per game (28.2), landing them fifth in total rushing yards per game (141.6). Hall is averaging a career-high 72.2 rushing yards per game on an impressive 4.8 yards per attempt, the second-best mark of his career.

It’s a testament to the offensive line that New York has achieved these rushing numbers despite opponents selling out to stop the run.

The Jets don’t have much work to do with the OL

Most 2-8 teams preparing to potentially draft a young quarterback are in that position partially because they have an abysmal offensive line. The Jets are a unique case.

With Membou, Fashanu, and Tippmann locked in, the Jets likely have three starting spots filled on their 2026 offensive line, including the two most important spots, left and right tackle.

The only offensive line spots New York will have to address this offseason are left guard and center. Current starters John Simpson and Josh Myers are due to become free agents.

The Jets could use their treasure chest of assets to pursue substantial upgrades at those positions. Alternatively, they could bring back Simpson and Myers to maintain the continuity established by the group this season. New York has had the same starting five in all 10 games this season.

Simpson and Myers could likely be retained affordably on the open market. Simpson, who will turn 29 next year, signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Jets in 2024. While he outplayed that deal in 2024, his play in 2025 has been closer to his contract value—that of a competent starter.

Myers is performing similarly at center, which means he is outplaying his one-year, $2 million deal signed in 2025, but he won’t break the bank.

Whichever path the Jets choose to fill the left guard and center spots, it’s a major positive for the team that they can feel comfortable with their young trio of premium draft picks at left tackle, right guard, and right tackle. For the first time in many years, the Jets are poised to enter an offseason without feeling pressured to spend premium assets on the offensive line.

It will leave them with plenty of ammo to fill out the rest of their roster.