Jets ink new offensive tackle to $31.9 million deal
They didn’t just draft Armand Membou to protect the quarterback — they’re betting on him to be a cornerstone for years to come.
Rookie deal locked in for a franchise building block
The Jets signed three rookies to deals on Thursday, but the biggest news involved seventh overall pick Armand Membou out of Missouri.
The 21-year-old agreed to terms on a fully guaranteed $31.9 million rookie contract, which includes the standard fifth-year option.
This gives the Jets a long runway with their new right tackle, who’s expected to step into a starting role from day one.
Membou earned his top-10 selection by dominating in college, allowing just eight pressures across 827 snaps during the 2024 season.
Those numbers put him among the most efficient pass protectors in college football, showcasing poise, balance, and foot speed beyond his years.
At 6’3” and 314 pounds, Membou combines strength with natural athleticism, an explosive blend the Jets desperately needed on the right side.
The pressure is on to turn potential into production
Membou isn’t walking into a developmental role — the Jets are counting on him to hit the ground running in a demanding AFC East.
With Justin Fields taking over at quarterback, New York will likely lean on a dynamic run-heavy offense to mask growing pains.
Membou is tailor-made for that vision, with strong tape in both pass protection and zone run schemes, ideal for bootlegs and rollout designs.
Still, expectations are high after investing back-to-back first-round picks into the offensive line, including their 2024 selection last year — Olu Fashanu.
The front office has poured resources into solidifying the trenches, and now it’s time for that investment to actually pay off.
There are no more excuses about youth or development — the Jets expect Membou to help anchor one of the league’s top lines.
Why the Jets believe Membou was worth the gamble
Despite a deep draft class, the Jets prioritized Membou for his rare combination of maturity and upside, unusual for such a young lineman.
He’s shown the ability to handle top-tier competition, hold his ground in one-on-one matchups, and maintain elite balance at the point of attack.
Coaches rave about his coachability and intelligence, and that gives the Jets added confidence in his ability to adapt quickly to NFL speed.
There will be bumps, especially early on, but Membou has the tools and demeanor to weather them and come out stronger on the other side.
In a sense, he’s the prototype for the Jets’ rebuild — raw but promising, physical but composed, and full of unpolished potential.
The line is drawn: no more excuses for offensive woes
New York’s investment in their offensive line is as bold as it gets, and now it’s time to cash in on that vision.
They’ve rebuilt the foundation. They’ve secured the quarterback. And now, they’ve locked in the franchise tackle to tie it all together.
Membou may be just 21 years old, but the Jets are banking on him like a ten-year veteran, and there’s no turning back now.
NFL’s Deshaun Watson Gets Engaged After Settling Over 2 Dozen Accusations of Sexual Assault
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is engaged to longtime love Jilly Anais.
“Mrs. Watson Loading…,” Anais, 29, captioned an Instagram post on Sunday, March 16, announcing their engagement. Watson, 29, had his arms around Anais in the photo, as she held up her left hand to show off her dazzling engagement ring.
“My Queen,” Watson commented on the post. “MORE GLORY.”
News of Watson and Anais’ engagement comes after the NFL star made headlines for more than two dozen accusations of sexual assault.
Watson was initially accused of sexual assault by a massage therapist named Ashley Solis. She filed a civil lawsuit against the athlete, alleging that he exposed himself and touched her hand with his penis during a massage. More than 20 women came forward to file their own civil suits following the initial allegations.
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“I have not yet seen the complaint, but I know this: I Have never treated any woman with anything than the utmost respect,” Watson shared in a social media statement at the time. “The plaintiff’s lawyer claims that this isn’t about money, but before filing suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected. Unlike him, this isn’t about money for me — it’s about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that.”
Two separate grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal charges. However, the NFL launched their own investigation into Watson, which led to an 11-game suspension at the start of the 2022 season, and the athlete had to pay a $5 million fine.
By October 2024, Watson had since settled 23 of the civil suits that were filed against him. Watson previously addressed the controversy in an August 2022 interview.
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“I want to say that I’m truly sorry to all the women I’ve impacted in this situation,” he said at the time. “The decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position, I would definitely like to have back. But I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character and I want to keep pushing forward.”
Watson played for the Houston Texans from 2017 to 2021 before being traded to the Browns. Earlier this year, Watson underwent surgery following an injury to his Achilles tendon, which could potentially keep him off the field for the forthcoming 2025 season.
