Jets Rookie Shocks NFL Experts, Quietly Becoming a Tackle Titan No One Saw Coming

So, here’s the million-dollar question: can a single rookie tackle really be the silver lining in what’s been a pretty dismal season for the New York Jets? I mean, the Jets had big hopes riding on Justin Fields—only to watch those dreams unravel faster than a cheap helmet strap. Their defense? Sliced and diced at the trade deadline. But then along comes Armand Membou, quietly carving out a reputation that’s got even the most jaded analysts sitting up and taking note. Against all odds, this kid from Missouri isn’t just holding his own—he’s ascending into the upper echelons of NFL pass protectors. Is it too early to crown him the Jets’ cornerstone? Maybe. But in a season cluttered with setbacks, Membou’s emergence might just be the smartest play Aaron Glenn’s crew has made yet. Let’s dive into why the Jets’ rookie tackle could be the rare bright spot worth rooting for.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 16: Detail of a New York Jets helmet before the first half of the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. — (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The New York Jets haven’t had the season they hoped for. They expected Justin Fields to be their guy, and their defense to return to its dominant ways.

Instead, Fields may have lost his final chance to prove that he can be an NFL quarterback, and they wound up breaking up the defense at the trade deadline.

However, it hasn’t all been bad for Aaron Glenn’s team. As pointed out by NFL analyst Brett Kollmann on X, rookie tackle Armand Membou has been a force to be reckoned with this season:

“On true dropbacks so far this season, Armand Membou has only allowed 8 total pressures on 151 snaps. He is also 8th among tackles in pressure percentage allowed. Not 8th among rookie tackles. Not 8th among right tackles. 8th among all tackles,” Kollman posted on X.

On true dropbacks so far this season, Armand Membou has only allowed 8 total pressures on 151 snaps. He is also 8th among tackles in pressure percentage allowed.

Not 8th among rookie tackles.

Not 8th among right tackles.

8th among all tackles.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 23, 2025

The rookie out of Missouri has been the lone bright spot for the Jets this season. Of course, it’s hard to find a silver lining when the team has failed to compete again and the roster has fallen apart, but he’s still a solid building block for years to come. He’s an elite pass protector who’s going to keep the quarterback out of harm’s way.

The Jets got a big haul of draft picks at the trade deadline, and they will most likely get another compensatory pick if Breece Hall winds up leaving in free agency as expected. That should give them the ammo to put more talent around Membou and maybe potentially finally find their quarterback of the future.

In the meantime, the rookie tackle will continue to get some valuable reps to continue his development. He looks like a superstar and a perennial All-Pro-caliber player in the making, and he’ll be one of the team’s foundational pieces for the foreseeable future.

The post Jets Rookie Is Quietly Emerging Among NFL’s Most Reliable Tackles appeared first on The Cold Wire.