He showed up at a media session prior to 2022 training camp sporting a shirt that read: “BIG BUST,” accompanied with slights about his weight and drive and injury-prone label.
“I’m going to make them eat their words,” Mekhi Becton vowed that day.
The Jets have been waiting.
Some good news: The Big Bust showed up on Saturday night much more as The Big Bully in the Jets’ 13-6 loss to the Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium.
Yes, it was against scrubs who will be receiving a visit from the evil Turk asking them to return their playbooks, but finally, this was a giant step in the right direction.
“I’m excited for him to be healthy and back out there, and he’s in great shape,” Zach Wilson said.
Becton’s long arms must have resembled lampposts to the overmatched Tampa Bay defenders and he seemed nimble enough afoot. And he didn’t seem to mind chirping along the way.
“He played with a lot of energy, a lot of juice,” head coach Robert Saleh said.
Becton was selected with the No. 11 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft by general manager Joe Douglas to be the LT of the Future, originally for quarterback Sam Darnold and head coach Adam Gase.
“We’re so excited to add a guy this size and athletic ability,” Douglas said then. “A guy we feel can fortify our front for the long-term.”
But during this offseason, while the Giants were locking up Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 pick of that 2020 NFL Draft, with a five-year, $117.5 million extension, the Jets declined Becton’s fifth-year option.
Because Mekhi Becton, bull-rushed by injury woes and self-inflicted weight and conditioning wounds, has played one game over the past two seasons, and none since Week 1 of 2021. So all roads, back to when he was hailed as a 6-foot-7, 364-pound man mountain among boys, led to Saturday night and the Jets’ third preseason game of 2023.
When Becton needed to overcome the nagging fears about his surgically repaired right knee, he stated his case to be the starting right tackle bodyguard for Aaron Rodgers. Becton has stopped defiantly reminding everyone that he is a left tackle, which is a good idea, since he has been informed that Duane Brown is the Jets’ left tackle. Becton has stopped blaming the club for the move to the right side during 2022 training camp leading to his reconstructive right knee surgery.
The trade for Rodgers and swap with the Packers from the 13th pick to the 15th pick in the draft this year cost them the chance to select tackle Broderick Jones. Saleh is hoping, maybe against hope, that Becton has gotten the message. Although Becton has lost 50 pounds, the Jets have understandably hedged their bets, with Max Mitchell and journeyman Billy Turner.
Mitchell started Saturday at left tackle with Turner at right tackle. Becton entered with the backups for the third series, with 13:27 remaining in the second quarter, but Bam Knight lost a fumble on first down. The good news: Becton could rest.
Wilson escaped the pocket with a spin move to rip off a 35-yard Crazy Leg run (but get out of bounds, son!) that had Rodgers clapping on the sideline. Vanilla Vick II, anyone? Bucs outside linebacker Anthony Nelson, a mere 6-7, 271 pounds, could have used an Uber on Highway 77 to get around Becton on his pass rush. Becton’s five-snap series ended with a Greg Zuerlein field goal and 6-3 Jets lead.
On the next series, Becton knocked Nelson to the ground and buried him there during a holding call against Mitchell.
In the third quarter, Becton engulfed poor outside linebacker Charles Snowden, a mere 6-7, 245-pounder, and unleashed a pile-driver on fallen cornerback Derrek Pitts. The Jets’ possession lasted more than five minutes and you could see Becton with his hands on his hips after several plays.
Becton did not play in the fourth quarter and was done for the night after 25 offensive snaps. He dressed quickly and was gone by the time the media entered the locker room.
The urgency is growing for Saleh and Rodgers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to identify the five best offensive linemen. Brown is expected to come off the PUP list this week. Rodgers has enough weapons and more than enough defense. If Becton isn’t motivated to help Rodgers chase a Super Bowl, then shame on him.
“I mean, a man that size isn’t supposed to be as nimble as he is,” Douglas said when Becton was drafted. “When he ran that 5.1 40 at the combine, that was certainly eye-opening.”
Becton was an eye-opening force of nature as a rookie. On Saturday, at least, he provided a glimmer of hope that perhaps he can yet remember how to be a big, big factor for a championship-starved franchise with the biggest dreams.