Armand Membou Shines Bright in a Dim Jets Season, Earns All-Rookie Honors
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the 2025 season was a brutal one for the New York Jets. A 3-14 record tells you most of what you need to know.
Injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and growing pains under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn made for a campaign that tested even the most loyal fans. But amid the chaos, one rookie quietly - and consistently - delivered week after week: right tackle Armand Membou.
In a season where very little went right, Membou was a rare constant. While the Jets’ offense sputtered, their offensive line held firm - and remarkably, they were the only team in the league to start the same five linemen in all 17 games. That kind of continuity is rare in today’s NFL, and Membou was a big reason why it worked.
The reward? A well-earned spot on the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team. Membou joins Saints left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. as the two tackles to receive the honor - a strong nod to just how impactful the seventh overall pick was in his first season.
Membou Lived Up to the Hype - and Then Some
When the Jets selected Membou out of Missouri with the seventh pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the plan was clear: pair him with Olu Fashanu and lock down the tackle spots for years to come. That plan is off to a promising start.
Membou didn’t just hold his own - he excelled. His 73.8 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 11th among all qualified right tackles and led all rookies at the position.
He posted a 91.7% pass block win rate and allowed just 1.9 pressures per game. For a rookie playing one of the toughest positions on the field, those are elite numbers.
But Membou’s impact wasn’t limited to keeping the quarterback upright. He was a force in the run game, too. His 72.1 run-blocking grade and 79.6% win rate in that department speak to a well-rounded skill set that translated right away at the pro level.
The Membou Effect: Breece Hall’s Resurgence
One of the more overlooked storylines of the Jets’ season was the resurgence of Breece Hall - and Membou played a big part in it. Hall became the first Jets running back to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Chris Ivory in 2015.
And when Hall ran behind Membou on outside zone plays to the right side? He averaged a strong 4.6 yards per carry.
That kind of production doesn’t happen without strong blocking up front, and Membou’s ability to move defenders in space helped open up lanes for Hall all season long. For a team that struggled to find consistency on offense, that right-side run game was one of the few things they could rely on.
A Cornerstone for the Future
Let’s be real - the Jets have a long road ahead. There are still major questions surrounding the coaching staff, and the roster has more than a few holes to fill. But in Armand Membou, the Jets have something every rebuilding team desperately needs: a foundational piece.
He’s 21 years old, already playing at a high level, and showing the kind of poise and polish that usually takes years to develop. Whether the Jets can turn things around in the near future remains to be seen. But if they do, it’s a safe bet Membou will be a big reason why.
In a season full of setbacks, Armand Membou gave the Jets - and their fans - something they haven’t had much of lately: hope.