The New York Jets blockers are hoping that Geno Smith’s jersey is as clean as a whistle after the game. 

The O-line is the heart of a rebuilt Jets attack. The starting five has left tackle Olu Fashanu, new left guard Dylan Parham, center Josh Myers, right guard Joe Tippmann and right tackle Armand Membou. Fashanu and Membou are No. 1 draft choices, showing the emphasis the Jets placed on protection. The four holdovers started all 17 games for the Jets last season.

Parham signed to replace John Simpson, who inked a three-year, $30 million deal to return to the Baltimore Ravens. Continuity is a big part of any line, so if Parham steps in without missing a beat, the Jets have a young, key unit. 

Of course, the Jets have been trying for years to find the magic offensive line formula. Injuries to left tackle Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker, both No. 1 draft choices, derailed hopes for a previous edition, adding to the overall team woes. 

There is still work to be done. The Jets gave up 60 sacks in 2025, the second-most in the NFL. You can blame some of that on the quarterbacks, where Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook held onto the ball just a touch too long. That can also be pinned on receivers that couldn’t separate. 

But the line still bears some responsibility, and they’re hoping that a veteran quarterback like Geno Smith knows when to ditch the ball rather than take a sack. 

The Jets were better in the run game, allowing their backs to average 4.6 yards a carry, one of the highest totals in franchise history. Breece Hall had his first 1000-yard year, and the Jets are hoping Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will have some big holes to run through. 

New offensive coordinator Frank Reich is a disciple of the West Coast offense, i.e, ball control on the ground and short passes to open the field. That should allow a big offensive line to blossom and take over some games. 

While Fashanu and Membou are the bookend tackles, a key to the line is Tippmann. He moved from center to right guard last season and says he’s finally settling in to his new position, having had a season and offseason to refine his duties. He started all 17 games for the Jets last year. 

The backups have experience, led by Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor at tackle, with Jordan Meredith and Kohl Levao in the interior. Given that it’s unlikely that the O-line will again have perfect health, some or all may be needed at some point.