Jets' Mekhi Becton sports 'Big Bust' T-shirt as he addresses doubters
Jets coach Robert Saleh said Mekhi Becton could be a 'transcendent' player for the team
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Jets offensive lineman Mekhi Becton showed up to his media availability on Wednesday wearing a "Big Bust" T-shirt amid questions about his weight and conditioning.
Becton is about to enter his third season in the NFL after New York made him the 11th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He missed all but one game for the Jets in 2021 due to a knee injury.
His weight became a talking point during the first two seasons of his career. While rumors spread about him reaching 400 pounds last year, Becton is listed on the team site as being 363 pounds.
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New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton speaks to reporters at the teams NFL football facility in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The offensive tackle knows he is being written off by many, but insists he's going to make all of his critics "eat their words." (AP Photo/Dennis Waszak Jr.)
The 23-year-old wouldn’t reveal his vitals but said he was "satisfied" with his weight, according to NFL.com.
"I don’t understand why," Becton said when asked why people have been writing him off. "It’s all good, though. I’m going to make them eat their words."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jets coach Robert Saleh said someone like Becton, who is also 6-foot-7, has a tougher time recovering from injuries because of his size.
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Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets paces the side line during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
"A guy his size has to work a little harder than most," Saleh said, via the New York Post. "His weight will fluctuate incredibly over the course of like three days. It’s fascinating. He’s capable. He’s got the right mindset. He’s just got to piece it all together."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Saleh also praised the young lineman’s talent.
"We’re all aware of the talent he possesses, the size, the athleticism, the physicality, all of it and he’s really smart," he added. "[It helps] having him on the offensive line to move people off their spot so the running back has running lanes and the quarterback can sit in the pocket and buy a hitch. So yeah, he’s important. If he takes care of business like we know he can, he can be transcendent."
Becton added he has a lot to prove this season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mekhi Becton #77 of the New York Jets looks on during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on August 19, 2020 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Robert Sabo-Pool/Getty Images)
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"(To) come better than what you did the rookie year and then just to get hurt and be out all season, it's a lot," he said. "It's a lot to handle, but I'm definitely coming back with that chip on my shoulder."