Becton Takes Breather ahead of Big Day at MetLife Stadium
Mekhi Becton participated in the walk-through portion of Thursday's practice in Florham Park and then the behemoth bookend hit the exercise bike during team drills.
There was no need for panic, though.
The New York Jets' offensive tackle was simply taking a maintenance day prior to the highly-anticipated preseason finale against the New York Giants on August 26 at MetLife Stadium (6:00 pm ET kickoff). The team officially announced it as a "rest day," which has become a common tactic used around the NFL during game week.
The rest should only help Becton prepare for what will arguably be one of his most-important days as a Jet. The 2020 first-round draft pick will start at right tackle in Saturday's exhibition against the Giants.
"He did a really nice job in the game [against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers], took over half the snaps. He looks like he’s in much better shape, obviously, so, we’re giving him a run at right tackle to see how he does," said Gang Green head coach Robert Saleh earlier this week.
It's a prime opportunity for the injury-plagued lineman to make a statement that he is back and ready to contribute after missing the past two seasons due to right knee problems.
Becton has not appeared in a regular season game since the 2021 opener. He's been active in each of the Jets' first three preseason contests this summer, from starting out by logging 7 snaps in the Hall of Fame Game on August 3 and building up to 28 plays on August 19.
"The biggest thing for Mekhi is to show that he can play a game without having to be spelled out and take a break and all that stuff," said Saleh prior to the battle against the Bucs.
Becton earned the highest Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade (85.0) amongst all Jets' offensive players during his most-recent appearance.
"I think it’s just about consistency for him. Part of it is in his head, feeling comfortable when you’re injured for that long," surmised future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
For the first time in a real game setting, Becton will have the responsibility of protecting Rodgers when the Green & White go up against fellow MetLife Stadium inhabitant Big Blue.
Jets' Mekhi Becton (77) enters the field prior to the NFL Preseason game in Carolina.
© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
"He’s so talented. He’s humongous and he’s athletic for a man who’s 6’8" and 350 [pounds]. I’m excited about seeing him out there," said Rodgers.
In addition to building back the strength in his twice surgically-repaired knee, Becton is experiencing a transition of sorts this summer. With all of his NFL experience coming as a left tackle, the 24-year-old has flipped to the right side.
"He's been playing left tackle all of camp to make that move just last week and perform the way he did last game, he's an incredible athlete," said left tackle Duane Brown, a 16th-year pro. "He has all the tools to be one of the best this game's ever seen."
With Brown no longer on the PUP list and Becton giving it a go on the right side, the Jets' offensive line looks seemingly stronger than it did only a couple weeks ago.
"I have always said if Big Bec [Becton] can get the ball rolling, and we started that snowball down the hill a long time ago with him integrating back into practice and all of that," said Saleh on Wednesday. "That snowball keeps rolling and we feel really good about our O-line."
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