Jets' Saleh challenges Becton to 'go earn the left tackle'
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh sent a message to offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.
Saleh recently declared an open competition at both of New York's tackle positions, saying the Jets will play their best five offensive linemen this season, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.
But the comments apparently didn't sit well with Becton, whom the Jets moved to right tackle for the first time in his NFL career during the 2022 offseason before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in August.
On Saturday, Becton posted in a since-deleted tweet, "I. Am. A. Left. Tackle!!!"
Saleh said the fourth-year lineman can play left tackle as long as he earns it.
"Go earn the left tackle," Saleh said Saturday, according to SNY. "Competition."
With the Jets open to playing any of their versatile tackles in 2023, Becton will likely have to compete with Duane Brown, Max Mitchell, Billy Turner, and Cedric Ogbuehi for the two OT spots.
Becton, the 11th overall pick in 2020, played 14 games at left tackle as a rookie. Knee injuries have since limited the Louisville product to only one appearance. With Becton sidelined, George Fant and Mitchell logged snaps at right tackle for the Jets last season, while Brown played at the left tackle position.
Reported recently that Becton's preference is to go back to left tackle, in part, because right tackle puts additional stress on twice-repaired right knee. Plus, left tackle is his natural position. #Jets
- Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 6, 2023
As Becton tries to put his NFL career back on the right track, he's down to about 350 pounds this season after weighing as much as 400 a couple of years ago, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.
The Jets' offensive line in 2023 will be responsible for protecting four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, who joined the team via trade from the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
New York allowed 42 sacks and ranked only 29th in pass-blocking in 2022, according to PFF.
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