Mekhi Becton addresses his doubters with custom shirt
New York Jets social media continues to buzz with speculation about offensive tackle Mekhi Becton. While head coach Robert Saleh provided an update on Becton’s injury status and availability, it’s what Saleh refused to say that has fans worried.
Saleh declined to comment about Becton’s weight, saying only that his knee is fine and that he should be ready to go for training camp. This is what Connor Hughes of The Athletic had to say about Saleh’s evasiveness:
Robert Saleh & others have gone out of their way to openly praise — over & over again — Denzel Mims for being in incredible shape. They’ve done same with Zach Wilson gaining muscle.
If Becton was also in great shape, or at weight they wanted, they wouldn’t stop saying it.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) June 15, 2022
Some might say that this is a stretch or nitpicking. That could very well be the case. But the fact remains that Saleh has gone out of his way to compliment Zach Wilson and Denzel Mims on their physical conditioning. The omission of any such comments about Becton speaks volumes, since he is the one whose physical shape is the most in question.
Becton clearly hears the doubters and the rumors. He has adopted the moniker “The Big Bust” instead of his usual “Big Ticket.” On Wednesday, he showed up for his press conference with a shirt reading “Big Bust” encircled by the words “fat,” “lazy,” “injury prone,” and “out of shape.” Becton takes all of this doubt as motivation.
#Jets OT Mekhi Becton showed up to his press conference wearing a shirt that says "BIG BUST" & surrounded with words like "Fat, lazy, injury prone, out of shape."
Becton doesn't understand why people are writing him off. "I'll make them eat their words."pic.twitter.com/ryWVdKAvnc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 15, 2022
When asked whether people have written him off, Becton said, “Yeah, and I don’t understand why. But it’s all good, though. I’m going to make them eat their words.”
That’s quite a statement from the behemoth left tackle. He continued on to say that he intends to win the starting left tackle position but is willing to play on the right side, as well.
While many expect George Fant to start on the left side due to his clearly superior play on the left side vs. the right, it would no doubt calm the minds of many Jets fans to see Becton make it an actual competition.
There is still a month and a half until training camp. Becton has time to get back into playing shape, but the questions and rumors continue to swirl. Becton now has time and motivation to put his money where his mouth is.