The Jets declined to pick up the fifth-year option for offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
The New York Jets have declined the fifth-year option of offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) May 2, 2023
The move wasn’t surprising at all. The Jets weren’t going to guarantee $13.575 million in 2024 to a player that has played one game out of a possible 34 in the past two seasons due to multiple knee injuries and just 15 games total in three seasons since being drafted 11th overall in 2020.
Becton does look healthy — Becton has lost about 50 pounds this offseason — and is ready to compete again this year and he’ll now have some incentive in 2023. If he can stay healthy and play well, he can cash in next offseason during free agency.
He’ll compete in camp for the starting right tackle spot with Duane Brown working at left tackle. His competition should include Max Mitchell and newly-signed Billy Turner with fourth-round rookie Carter Warren and veteran Cedric Ogbuehi among the backup swing tackles.
This time next year, the Jets will make a decision on the fifth-year option for quarterback and 2021 first-round pick Zach Wilson.