For the first time in recent memory, the New York Jets’ offensive line is being recognized as one of the most talented and stable units on the team. Long criticized for being a consistent weak spot, the line has undergone a complete transformation both in terms of personnel and performance. Entering this 2025 NFL season, the unit has gone from underwhelming to serviceable to now an emerging strength of this team. Let’s check in on the new offensive identity that the new regime has ready to roll out.
One of the clearest indicators of the offensive line’s progress is its ranking by Pro Football Focus, which placed the Jets ninth in the NFL heading into the season. PFF is not the end-all, be-all when it comes to determining exactly how great a unit or players can be, but they are highly regarded around the league for their grading system. That top-10 status reflects not just incremental improvement, but the kind of foundational talent that suggests long-term success for the first time since the Ferguson-Mangold era.
The group is now being talked about as the most promising unit on the entire roster. This comes as a surprise, with how long it’s actually been since they’ve had such a formidable offensive line unit. Definitely refreshing and any ball-knower would voice that games are won in the trenches both offensively and defensively.
The Jets’ Offensive Line is Now a Strength in 2025
Offensive Tackles
A major factor to this rise is the influx of young, high-upside talent across the line. Left tackle Olu Fashanu showed significant improvement in the back half of 2024. Started off slow, but that was to be expected with his youth and being thrust into the position, maybe a little earlier than some expected. As the season went on, he learned more and more, showing strong promise for being the high-level pick that he was. Now firmly established at his natural position, he brings athleticism and polish to the blind side.
On the opposite end, the Jets’ 2025 first-round pick, Armand Membou, is already turning heads. He’s a mauler in the run game and has work to do in pass protection, which will come in time. His style fits this offensive system perfectly, though with OC Tanner Engstrand bringing over a run-first mindset and play-action passing attack. Both of these players seem like long-term building blocks that will man down each end of the offensive line for years to come.
Interior Offensive Line
The interior of the line is equally solid. Veteran guard John Simpson and fourth-year standout Alijah Vera-Tucker both ranked among the top-12 guards in the NFL last season, according to PFF. Vera-Tucker’s major concern has always been staying healthy, having had multiple injuries over the years to worry about. Center Joe Tippmann continues to develop and is already one of the better players at his position, grading out as the eighth-best center in 2024.
All these three together bring back some continuity, as well as being together last year to build a strong foundation. They’re shouldn’t be much pressure up the middle that Fields will have to worry about, and if they were smart, they would focus on the run game between the tackles to use this to their advantage.
Coaching/Philosophy
Coaching has also played a critical role in the unit’s turnaround. Under new offensive line coach Steve Heiden, the group has shown increased cohesion and aggressiveness. In limited preseason action against, the line dominated both in pass protection and run blocking. This is proof that the talent people have seen from all of these players individually is now being matched up as a unit by technique and discipline.
The Jets’ new offensive philosophy, discussed before, relies heavily on the offensive line’s performance, being predominantly a run-based attack. The personnel fit this profile with a two-headed attack in the backfield, Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, and not too many options on the outside besides Garrett Wilson. They’ll lean into this identity early and often, hoping to get ahead early in games, maintaining leads. This is very similar to what Jim Harbaugh did last year with the Chargers.
New head coach in his first year, stripping down the roster to build it back up from the ground up to his liking. You’re seeing more teams lean into a run game first stylistic approach that sees the pass game build off of that. Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens are few to name that have seen this work for them in previous seasons.
It’s official, the Jets’ offensive line is no longer a concern, it’s a growing strength. With a mix of rising stars, proven veterans, and strong coaching, this group is poised to be the focal point of this offense that ends up being the reason this team wins or loses. A lot of pressure for this unit to be the engine, but with Coach Glenn being the motivator he is, there should be no issues for them to meet these expectations. If the line stays healthy and continues to build chemistry, it could not only anchor a much-improved offense but also redefine the identity of a team searching for a new era of stability and success.
Main Image: John Jones-Imagn Images
