After adding Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, it’s safe to say the New York Jets have Super Bowl aspirations this season. To do so, they’ll need to improve upon their 29th-ranked offense, which likely involves keeping their 39-year-old quarterback from being sacked too often.
Because of their expected desire to rely on their passing attack with their new QB, the Jets will need their offensive line to be a fully-functioning unit that fires on all cylinders. This isn’t an area Gang Green performed well in last season, dealing with several injuries to their key starters.
But coach Robert Saleh hopes 2023 will be a much different story. Even though it’s early, the Jets are off to a bad start when it comes to their offensive line.
Mekhi Becton, the team’s 11th-overall pick in 2020, has been adamant that he views himself as a left tackle, and judging by his draft position, the Jets agreed with him at one point. Except, Becton has played just 48 snaps there over the past two seasons.
We saw the Jets turn to five-time Pro Bowl tackle Duane Brown instead, who’s set to turn 38 in August and is currently working his way back from offseason surgery for a torn rotator cuff, which involves a long rehabilitation process. Brown has not been able to take the field just yet, and even though Becton is also working his way back from the knee injury that wiped out his 2023 season, the 24-year-old is expected to be healthy by training camp.
In turn, Brown’s continued absence could open up the door for Becton to reclaim the starting left tackle spot from the longtime veteran. Except, the former All-Pro doesn’t sound like a person who’s thrilled with the idea of switching to right tackle instead of protecting Rodgers’ blindside.
“It’s not something I’ve practiced over the years. Not to say I can’t do it, but I’ve been solidified (at left tackle) for a while.”
New York Jets offensive lineman Duane Brown
While Becton would like to be known as a left tackle, so would Brown. It’s all he knows. Brown has played over 13,000 snaps at left tackle and zero at right tackle in his career. While he may have seen it all at the NFL level, asking him to switch sides at this point may be wishful thinking.
The Jets will have to determine what’s best for them. Becton may be their ideal left tackle of the future, but are they better off having Brown man the blindside for one more season while Becton handles the right side of the line? Or will Brown just have to suck it up and become comfortable with the unknown?
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