Following Mekhi Becton’s Criticism Of The Coaching Staff, Jets’ Coach Robert Saleh Has This To Say
Mekhi Becton, a former offensive lineman for the New York Jets, revealed details regarding his injuries and his dissatisfaction with the Jet’s coaching staff in an honest and enlightening interview.
The team’s management of his position and its effects on his performance and health came under harsh criticism from Becton, who was selected with the 11th overall choice in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Becton’s previous two NFL seasons have been a complete catastrophe. He had a knee injury in 2021, made the move to right tackle during the offseason of 2022, and before the season even started, he sustained a season-ending knee injury.
.@BrandonTierney says the Jets need to cut Mekhi Becton if he continues to publicly vent about his role: pic.twitter.com/LCrFOsl1GN
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) May 22, 2023
Following Mekhi Becton’s Criticism Of The Coaching Staff, Jets’ Coach Robert Saleh Has This To Say
He is very clear on who to blame for his health issues.
The decision to move him from left to right tackle was made by the coaches.
𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: #Jets OT Mekhi Becton blames coaches for injury that cost him the 2022 season: 'No One Cared'
"I was told I shouldn’t be complaining. Go out there and do it (practice on my bad knee)."https://t.co/vD7bP4falf
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 22, 2023
“It made no sense to put me at right tackle. I hurt my right knee (the previous season). That’s the knee I put the most pressure on (while backpedaling in pass protection). I explained it (to the coaches), but no one cared.”
Mekhi Becton doing some work off to the side during practice. Looking slender. #Jets pic.twitter.com/iduwSOGxD4
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) May 23, 2023
“I got forced to play a position I don’t play,” Becton said. “I was pretty much telling them I wasn’t feeling good the whole time throughout camp and I was told I shouldn’t be complaining. Go out there and do it. I was limping throughout the whole practice, and I just took a step and my knee buckled and I got hurt again and had to get reconstructive knee surgery.”
#Jets HC Robert Saleh said he’s not going to get into the negative about the Mekhi Becton blaming coaches injury situation from 2022, ‘it’s not about finger pointing’ + Saleh instead praised him for his incredible work this offseason 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/RVFYPXkiaU
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) May 23, 2023
When questioned about Becton’s remarks before the team’s first open OTA session on Tuesday, Jets coach Robert Saleh declined to comment.
“It’s not the finger-pointing,” Saleh said. “What I’m focused on is over the last six months, Mekhi’s done an unbelievable job getting his weight down to where it’s a healthy weight that’s sustainable. He’s been available during OTAs, he’s been prompt and very diligent in regard to meetings. I think he’s probably in the best shape of is life.
Robert Saleh responds to Mekhi Becton blasting Jets over injury
Jets coach Robert Saleh declined to fire back at disgruntled tackle Mekhi Becton on Tuesday. Becton criticized Saleh in a Newsday article over the weekend, saying the coach’s decision to play him at right tackl… pic.twitter.com/qYUYjZBtjj— Let's Talk About Dis Shidd (@MrsBarnesII) May 23, 2023
Becton’s latest remarks, according to Saleh, won’t prevent the Jets from using him at right tackle once more this season.
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