Steelers Now
New York Jets rookie right tackle Armand Membou will have the daunting task of blocking Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. On paper, it’s a huge advantage for the Steelers, but the Jets believe they have a plan to neutralize the future Hall of Famer.
“We brought Armand in here for a reason, and he’s up to the challenge,” Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said. “Not to say it’s not going to be challenging, but we feel great about it. We feel great about where he’s at and where our plan is.”
Membou, who was the seventh overall pick in this past year’s draft by the Jets, stands at 6-foot-4, 332 pounds. The Jets have high expectations for the rookie out of Missouri, but he could have several welcome to the NFL moments on Sunday with facing Watt.
In addition to having the task to contain Watt, Membou will be without his right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, who will miss the entire 2025 season with a triceps injury that requires surgery.
Vera-Tucker, who was just named a team captain under new head coach Aaron Glenn, was slated to start at right guard and protect quarterback Justin Fields.
However, New York will now have to either play Xavier Newman-Johnson, who has five career starts, or move Joe Tippmann from center to fill his void. It’s a big hole to fill, too, as Vera-Tucker stands at a massive 6-foot-5, 308 pounds.
The No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has struggled to stay healthy throughout his NFL career, suffering a similar injury in 2022, but when he has been on the field, he’s been a key piece to the Jets offensive line.
In July, the Steelers signed Watt to a three-year, $123 million extension that includes $108M fully guaranteed at signing. At the time, it was an NFL record deal for a non-quarterback, but Micah Parsons surpassed Watt last week with signing a four-year, $188 million contract with the Green Bay Packers.
Watt has the most sacks in the NFL since 2020, racking up 73.5 during that time. Myles Garrett trails closely behind, with 72. Watt finished fourth in Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, totaling 61 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and a league-best six forced fumbles.
Watt had a bit of a down year in 2024, registering the third least sacks in a season (11.5) in his career. The other two seasons were his rookie year (seven sacks) and 2022 (5.5 sacks) when he played in just 10 games due to a knee injury. Coupled with injuries last season, Watt was slowed down due to teams scheming against him since he doesn’t switch sides. That could change this year.
“That’s something that this time of year is perfect for us, to move around, to get comfortable,” Watt said on July 23 at St. Vincent College. “It’s not about winning every single rep and having to be...
