It looks as if the Jets have declined their fifth-year option on oft-injured tackle Mekhi Becton, meaning that the big man is going to have earn it in 2023, as he now heads into what is a contract year.
But, if he’s healthy and motivated, Becton doesn’t have to look far to have some idea of what a strong season can turn into – in fact, it’s just across the MetLife complex.
“This is what happened with Daniel Jones, and he went out and he had to play, he had to stay health and take the coaching from Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka,” Boomer said Monday. “And, you know, you can always tag a guy if you want.”
The Giants had to try to find a way to retain both Jones and Saquon Barkley last off-season, and for the Jets, that could be Becton and Quinnen Williams if Gang Green can’t get a long-term deal done with the defensive tackle this summer.
They did with a long-term deal for Jones and the franchise tag for Barkley, so, perhaps, that could be the way for Becton. It would be a $10 million decision – the fifth-year option was just over $13 million, while the franchise tag for offensive linemen in 2024 is projected to be around $23 million – but
“If Becton is a dominating, big-time Pro Bowl or All-Pro tackle, they will tag him,” Boomer said. “At the end of the day, I think it's a motivational tactic more than anything.”
“It’s also a business decision – how could you guarantee him money when you really haven't seen him play since his rookie season, and he was also hurt then, too?” Gio asked. “He's got to know that, and his agent's got to know that, and obviously, he would probably want it to be picked up, especially now that he's shown that he's in shape and he's been in the facility and he lost a bunch of weight and he's working out every day…but you have to perform and stay healthy on the field, so he has to look at it as an opportunity more than anything else.”
It's a similar situation to where the Commanders were with Chase Young, who was a beast as a rookie but has missed most of the last two seasons with a knee injury.
As Boomer recalled though, four tackles were taken in the Top 12 in 2020, and Becton, the third of four, has had the toughest career – and just watched, or heard, as the Giants are reportedly picking up his fifth-year option.
Thomas has certainty Becton doesn’t, and now, it’s on Mekhi to go out and show he is still that talent that was taken 11th overall.
“Thomas went first and turned out to be the number one guy, and he's a tremendous football player and he's gonna get paid a lot of money,” Boomer said. “I remember the discussion was that all four were can’t miss players, and Mekhi had a really good rookie year, but the injuries and weight got the better of him. Hopefully, he’s past all that, and you want him to play great.”
And if he’s on the left side, he’s got a much bigger task this year protecting the blind side of a four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer.
“He's gonna have a great quarterback to protect, one who’s going to make him better,” Boomer said. “Mekhi should be one of the guys that gains the most from playing with Aaron Rodgers.”
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