FLORHAM PARK, NJ — New York Jets offensive lineman Mekhi Becton returned to the field Wednesday for the first time in 11 months, sporting a smaller waist and playing a new position.
Becton, drafted 11th overall in 2020 as a potential franchise left tackle, played right tackle in practice and will remain there for the rest of the season, coach Robert Saleh announced.
The shakeup had been rumored since late last season, largely because George Fant, who filled in for the injured Becton in 2021, played very well at left tackle. Now it’s official.
“George feels a lot more comfortable on the left side,” Saleh said after the first practice. “He has the athleticism to play left, just like Becton. It was a better combination.”
2 Related
The Jets played down the significance of the trade, but there’s no denying that left tackle is a more prestigious and higher-paying position than right tackle. Saleh said “that doesn’t mean Mekhi’s left tackle days are over,” but says the team made the move so quickly without competing.
Becton took it in stride, saying he’s not focused on prestige or money.
“Whether it’s left or right, I don’t really care as long as I’m on the field,” said Becton, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1.
Becton’s status was clouded in minicamp because of his conditioning. After skipping the voluntary part of the offseason, he came out overweight in June, which led to concerns among the coaches. Becton, who weighed up to 400 pounds last season during his injury rehab, was thought to be in the 390s in minicamp.
On Wednesday, it was noticeably cut back. The organization was delighted with his weight loss.
“I won’t get into the weight too much,” Saleh said, “but he got into football shape. He’s a gifted athlete, a gifted man. I’m very excited about the direction he’s going.”
Becton would not disclose her current weight, but said she reached her goal. Her personal nutritionist, Ann Claiborne, told ESPN that she “lost a lot of weight.” He stayed in New Jersey for most of the six weeks off, working with the team’s trainers and conditioning staff.
Becton previously trained at a Dallas facility, opting to skip the offseason program because his girlfriend was pregnant with the couple’s first child.
If he can stay fit and healthy, he’s only played eight full games in two seasons, the Jets offensive line has great potential. Aside from Becton and Fant at tackle, they have Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker (2021 first-round pick) at guard and Connor McGovern at center.
“It’s a really good offensive line,” Saleh said.
Like Becton, Vera-Tucker is learning a new position. He played left guard as a rookie, but moved to the right side to accommodate Tomlinson, an established left guard. Saleh said he’s not worried about two young players, Vera-Tucker and Becton, learning new positions at the same time on the same side.
“Personally, I’m excited about that right side,” he said. “We have two potential All-Pros in my opinion.”