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.
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Mike Francesa and Mike Tanennbuam talked about the big fella this AM. Both seemed to think that without constant supervision he would, and I quote, “eat himself out of the league”. (Francesca’s words).
I’m old school so I believe players should only have babies between the day after the SB and up to two weeks before the first team workouts, 🙂 but that’s not how things work anymore. I don’t think it’s a big deal as long as he’s at the prescribed weight. But this guy can be a player and the Jets need to get him right. I think the regime can survive Wilson, it’s not like Darnold has proven them wrong, he has not been any better. But you have to hit on top 10 picks. I guess we’ll know if they pick an OT at #4.
Man, you expect the guy to start for your team and come in shape with offseason and the fans are just heckling the guy like no tomorrow. I mean damn Becton does have a life and still rehabbing a dislocated knee cap folks. Give the man a chance, its his 3rd season and after this season JD can make the decision and judge where he ends up. Damn give him a break folks!!
Connor Hughes is has really been carrying water for the Jets lately. I guess that is the cost of some of the scopps he has gotten lately. But this narrative he has for Becton seemed mean spirited at best and deliberately hurtful at worst!
Given the Jets’ training staff’s inability to prevent injuries to the Jets’ players, I can’t see an issue here.
The players themselves have to try to prevent injury too. Its not always on the training staff