When the New York Jets selected Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick in 2024, the organization hoped they found their stalwart blindside blocker.

After a strong rookie season, Fashanu’s sophomore season has not lived up to Year 2 expectations.

Through three games, Fashanu leads NFL left tackles with 15 pressures allowed. His 53.4 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 26th out of 30 qualified left tackles and is the lowest among New York’s starting offensive linemen.

In an exclusive conversation with Jets X-Factor, Fashanu emphasized his understanding that the first three games of 2025 haven’t been to his standard. He is doing everything in his power to change that.

“I haven’t performed to the standard that I hold myself to,” Fashanu said. “So it’s just about looking at the film and looking at places where I need to improve on.”

WATCH: Joe Blewett’s Film Review of Olu Fashanu’s Rookie Season

Despite the early-season struggles, the Jets believe they can get the young tackle on the right track. Some help from his linemate and “older brother” John Simpson certainly helps in that regard.

The relationship between a left guard and left tackle is one of the more underrated partnerships in the NFL. Both positions need to be communicating consistently due to the myriad of looks that defenses throw at them each week.

Luckily for the Jets, Fashanu’s relationship with left guard John Simpson is as strong as ever.

It’s a big reason why Fashanu is confident he’ll move past the early-season struggles that he is working through.

“John is like an older brother to me,” Fashanu told X-Factor. “I have so much trust in him, and the other way around. For me to have the opportunity to play with someone like that, it’s a blessing.”

Since arriving on the team as a free agent last year, Simpson has been a consummate professional and stellar player on New York’s offensive line. The hope is that, when paired with Fashanu, the two will be cornerstone linemen for New York.

Jets’ shrug off Fashanu’s struggles

For as much as Fashanu has struggled early on in the season, the Jets remain unconcerned about the left tackle’s future play.

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand made it a point this week to clarify that Fashanu still hasn’t played a full season in the NFL yet as a starter.

“Olu’s doing a really nice job,” Engstrand said. “He’s just, again, how much game has he played? He didn’t play a whole lot last year as a rookie, and then this year, in his second year, but I feel really comfortable where Olu is at right now.”

That context is always crucial to keep in mind. For young offensive linemen, the best way to improve from mistakes is to keep taking reps and learning from those prior mishaps.

As the Jets try to bounce back from a 0-3 start, Fashanu is one of those players looking to steadily improve as the year goes on.

“It’s all about improvement through these first three weeks,” Fashanu said. “We haven’t been able to get the W, but it all starts looking at myself.”

New York needs its starting left tackle to play like the dominant player he was drafted to be. While it hasn’t been the smoothest transition in Year 2, the tape, and his relationship with Simpson, has left Fashanu to believe he’ll bounce back very soon.

Reporting from the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, NJ.