The New York Jets were forced into making some more significant changes this offseason after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Not only was the roster turned over, but head coach Aaron Glenn also wiped his coaching staff clean after just one year with the team. Expectations aren’t high for this group, but the hope is that they will be able to take some steps in the right direction.
On offense, the front office reunited with Geno Smith, picking him up in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith will return to the place where he began his career and serve as a bridge quarterback for New York. While he struggled last season, Smith quite literally cannot be worse than the assortment of quarterbacks the Jets trotted out last year, and with that in mind, star offensive lineman Armand Membou is thrilled to take the field with his newest teammates.
Armand Membou Gushes Over Geno Smith
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Membou was one of the lone bright spots for the Jets last season. Despite playing on a desolate offense as a rookie, Membou was on the field for every single one of New York’s offensive snaps, and while there were some growing pains along the way, he looks to be well on his way to emerging as one of the top right tackles in the NFL.
In 2025, N.Y. featured arguably the worst quarterback room in the league, as Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook combined to throw for just 2,378 yards and 14 touchdowns. Now, Membou will work towards protecting Smith, who at least has a track record of being able to hold his own as a passer. Smith threw for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns with Las Vegas last year, but he also tossed a league-leading 17 interceptions to go with those numbers.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Smith may not be the same star-caliber player he once was, but he still has more to offer than any quarterback the Jets turned to last year. Membou is still working on forging a relationship with Smith, but he recently made it clear he’s happy to have him in town ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“Geno is a great leader,” Membou said on “Inside Training Camp.” “He’s been a cool guy to get to know. He makes you feel loved as an o-lineman. We do our job; I block for him, and he’s been doing his job so far.”
Jets Hoping for Signs of Life on Offense in 2026
GettyNew York Jets offensive lineman Armand Membou reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
New York has some building blocks on offense, as Membou looks like a cornerstone for this unit alongside guys like wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall. Until this team can find a quarterback who can move the ball down the field on a consistent basis, though, it’s going to continue to be tough for this team to string together wins.
If all goes according to plan for the Jets in 2026, they will show off their potential while simultaneously not winning many games, which would give them a better first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That would open the door for them to select Smith’s successor, but for now, he’s the guy leading the offense, and the hope is that he can raise the bar, even if it is just minimally, from what this group accomplished last year.
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