Jets Set to Part Ways With $18 Million Starter This Offseason: Insider
It sounds like the Mekhi Becton era is coming to an end with the New York Jets this offseason.
Rich Cimini of ESPN shared some interesting intel when answering a mailbag question on his podcast on Wednesday, November 29 about whether or not Gang Green could franchise tag Becton this offseason.
“I do not foresee Mekhi Becton going back to the Jets in any form next year. They are not going to tag him, I can tell you that much & I’d be really surprised if they signed him unless it was a one-year prove-it deal,” Cimini explained on “Flight Deck.” Mekhi Becton is just not the Jets’ cup of tea, I think this coaching staff would like to move on, & to be quite honest I think Mekhi Becton would like to move on as well & get a fresh start somewhere else.”
Jets Have to Make a Decision on Becton’s Future
During the offseason, the Jets declined the fifth-year option on Becton’s $18.4 million rookie contract. Becton is now scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent during the 2024 offseason.
So far this year, Becton has appeared in 12 out of 13 possible games. That is the most games he has appeared in a single season since his rookie campaign back in 2020 (14 games).
Becton, 24, will turn 25 ahead of the start of the 2024 season.
If the Jets decide to let Becton walk, they will be setting themselves up for a very precarious situation.
Both Jets starting tackles from Week 1 of the 2023 season are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in veteran Duane Brown and Becton. Brown could decide to walk away from the game at 38 years of age.
That would force the Jets to replace both starting tackles on top of everything else they hope to accomplish this offseason.
It’s certainly not impossible, but that would put a lot of pressure on general manager Joe Douglas to deliver in an all-in season with Aaron Rodgers expected back at the helm.
Jets Options With Becton Are Limited
Becton had the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of any Jets offensive player against the Houston Texans in Week 14.
He finished with a 48.2 and his pass blocking was graded at a 39.5.
