Mekhi Becton’s teammates don’t seem concerned about his absence from New York Jets’ voluntary workouts
New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton has been taking some heat on social media regarding his absence from voluntary workouts at the team’s facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. General manager Joe Douglas stated on Thursday that Becton remains in Dallas, Texas, where he continues to rehab and work out with his personal team.
Special teams ace and team captain Justin Hardee came to Becton’s defense through a tweet on Friday morning.
“Y’all gotta chill with the narrative to break players down. His child comes first,” Hardee tweeted.
Y’all gotta chill with the narrative to break players down. His child comes first
— Justin Hardee Sr. (@jhardee_19) April 22, 2022
Becton’s fiancee is pregnant and due to give birth “at any moment,” per DJ Bien-Aime II of the New York Daily News.
Douglas did not seem concerned about Becton’s absence when discussing the 23-year-old tackle on Thursday. He said that the Jets have had “great dialogue and discussion back and forth with [Becton’s] medical team back in Dallas” and that the team is “on top of everything with him right now.” Douglas twice reiterated that the workouts are voluntary.
Hardee’s defense of Becton is a promising thing to see. The main purpose of these voluntary workouts in April is to build team chemistry – there are no essential football-related activities going on (hence why they are voluntary). So, if Becton’s veteran teammates are understanding of his situation and willing to publicly voice their full support for him, then there do not seem to be any issues with him choosing to stay home.
