If Mekhi Becton has his way, he won’t just be feeding himself this season. The much-maligned Jets' offensive tackle is planning to serve up quite the feast for his legion of haters.
“I’m going to make them eat their words.”
Mekhi Becton to his critics:
"I'm going to make them eat their words.”
pic.twitter.com/IZYVwHQnPN— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) June 15, 2022
If there was any doubt about the massive chip on his shoulder, Becton wore a tee shirt at New York Jets minicamp Wednesday with the phrase “Big Bust” in the middle, surrounded by words such as “fat,” “lazy,” “out of shape” and “bum.”
“It’s just a lot of words I’ve been called my whole life,” he explained. “So, I put it on a shirt.”
Mekhi Becton’s shirt says “Big Bust….fat, lazy, out of shape, bum, overweight, sucks, injury prone.”
He’s using the criticism as motivation. pic.twitter.com/b75kFcRAGk
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) June 15, 2022
Becton was known as “Big Ticket” when the Jets selected him in the first round (No. 11) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He subtly changed his Twitter handle to “Big Bust” when he faced a torrent of criticism this offseason.
But it’s not easy being subtle when you stand 6-foot-7 and weigh anywhere from 360-400 pounds. Then again, the straight-forward Becton was not trying to be subtle Wednesday.
“Just motivation, that’s all it is,” he said
Mekhi Becton is at Jets minicamp: pic.twitter.com/oBThgwwjdq
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 14, 2022
The Jets are hoping a healthy and motivated Becton will have a breakout season in 2022. Despite some injury issues and hiccups in pass protection, Becton had a solid rookie season as New York’s left tackle. However, last season was a complete washout.
Becton struggled through some nagging things during the summer and then had a disappointing training camp. His weight was another area of concern.
Then he dislocated his kneecap in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. Projected to miss 6-8 weeks, Becton did not play another snap the rest of the season.
He said Wednesday that he was able to get the range of motion back in his injured leg, but not the strength required to play.
So, Robert Saleh, how did Mekhi Becton look?
“He’s good. He’s here.”
He declined to say if Becton is “in shape” nor would he divulge Becton’s weight. pic.twitter.com/AbKBSjLv4b
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) June 15, 2022
The critics have had a field day with Becton since the injury. Especially regarding his weight. Neither Becton nor Jets coach Robert Saleh revealed the lineman’s weight at minicamp.
“I’m satisfied where I’m at,” Becton said.
Saleh deflected questions about how much his massive tackle weighs. Instead, he focused on the great potential Becton has.
“We’re all aware of the talent that he possesses,” Saleh said. “The size, the athleticism, the physicality. All of it. And he’s really smart . . . So, yeah, he’s important. If he takes care of his business like we know he can, he can be transcendent.”
Whether Becton returns to protect quarterback Zach Wilson’s blind side or moves to right tackle in favor of George Fant, who played well on the left in his absence last season, is to be determined.
Neither Fant nor Becton took part in team drills at minicamp. Each is coming back from injury and worked with the Jets performance staff on the side. Each is expected to be a full go when training camp starts in late July.
“I’ve got to go out there and get my job back,” Becton said.
He added that he played both left and right tackle in college at Louisville and that he’s “open to play wherever as long as I’m back on the field.”
His appearance at mandatory minicamp was Becton’s first at the Jets complex this offseason. He’s been working out with two personal trainers and an offensive line coach back home in Texas. He remained away from the Jets during optional OTAs awaiting the birth of his first child, a son named Mekhi Jr.
But it appears he is ready to get back to work. And to prove his doubters wrong.
“It just adds fuel to the fire.”
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