The New York Jets finally return to action this Sunday, facing the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
The Jets made several offensive additions, but one group that made surprisingly few changes will be tested early: the offensive line.
While the Jets have plenty of confidence in their young offensive tackle duo of Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu, the interior is a bit more questionable. Recently extended right guard Joe Tippmann leads the group and raises the ceiling. He’s joined by veteran left guard Dylan Parham and center Josh Myers.
While New York’s August trade for Jordan Meredith improved the depth, the starting trio still needs to prove itself on the field.
Tippmann is looking to show that his strong finish to 2025 was no fluke. Parham hopes to prove he is more than an average starter. Myers, who was initially signed as a backup, must avoid becoming the weak link.
With Jets fans dreaming of a watchable offense, this group can make or break those hopes. Their chemistry must be on point immediately, as they will begin the season against perhaps the best interior duo they will face all season.
The Jets’ interior will be pushed to the limit by the Titans
The Titans boast one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in Jeffery Simmons. Simmons overwhelms with elite power and athleticism that’s earned him three All-Pro nods.
Simmons is coming off a career year in 2025. He led defensive tackles in several statistics, such as tackles for loss (9), sacks (11.0), forced fumbles (3), pressure rate (13.8%), and Pro Football Focus’ pass rush grade (91.4).
His new running mate is former Jet John Franklin-Myers. Despite turning 30 later this month, Franklin-Myers is still one of the better pass-rushing defensive tackles in the NFL. The signs of age have started to show, as his pressure rate dropped from 14.4% (1st of 62) in 2024 to 10.3% (15th of 62) in 2025, but he was still very effective last season. On top of his top-15 pressure rate, Franklin-Myers had 7.5 sacks.
The Jets should capitalize on the rest of the Titans’ defensive tackle room. Backups Jordan Elliott and Solomon Thomas are replacement-level players, and sixth-round pick Jackie Marshall hasn’t impressed. When the backups rotate in, that’s when the Jets’ interior must take over.
But when Simmons and Franklin-Myers are out there together, the Jets will find out what their interior trio is made of.
Jets’ IOL can silence doubters or prove them right
As the Jets closed out the season, Joe Tippmann was looking like one of the best guards in the NFL. From Week 7 on, Tippmann had the best PFF pass-blocking grade among right guards at 81.4, while his 70.5 overall grade placed 15th.
Fresh off a $62 million extension, Tippmann’s upward trajectory will be tested on Sunday, as Jeffery Simmons aligns on the left side (across from the right guard) on the majority of his snaps.
Dylan Parham is expected to primarily match up against John Franklin-Myers, while Josh Myers will see plenty of both defensive tackles as he assists the guards in both the run game and pass protection.
The key for this trio will be to tread water against the starters and make up ground when the backups come in. Against the likes of Jordan Elliott and Solomon Thomas, the Jets should be able to keep Geno Smith protected from interior pressure and run the ball effectively up the middle. Jets fans remember Thomas’ run-stopping struggles in New York.
The Jets will have a great chance to win Sunday’s season opener if their interior trio steps up to the plate and negates one of Tennessee’s biggest on-paper advantages.
