Mekhi Becton continues his post-NY Jets revenge tour with massive block in playoffs

The NY Jets have endured a staggering 14-year playoff drought, leaving an entire generation of fans without the joy of watching their team compete in the postseason. However, one former Jets player is thriving where his old team has yet to return: the playoffs.

Ex-Jets offensive lineman Mekhi Becton seems to have found a new home in Philadelphia this year after signing a one-year prove-it deal with the organization in the offseason. Now, he's helping his team win in the Divisional Round of the postseason.

Becton helped pave the way for a 62-yard Saquon Barkley touchdown in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Rams with a massive block on Los Angeles linebacker Christian Rozeboom.

The block drew high praise from the broadcast booth and quickly gained traction on social media. While most of his former Jets teammates are watching the playoffs from home, Becton is playing a key role in his team’s pursuit of a Super Bowl run.

Mekhi Becton has thrived in his post-NY Jets career

The 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Becton showed promise in his rookie season and looked like a potential future building block of the Jets' offense. He was seen as one of the best young offensive linemen in the league going into his second season.

That's when it all fell apart. Becton suffered a serious knee injury in the Jets' Week 1 opener and missed the remainder of the 2021 season. Becton would re-injure the same knee the following summer and miss all of 2022.

It wasn’t just injuries that derailed Becton’s Jets career. The former Louisville standout also clashed with the coaching staff, and ongoing concerns within the organization about his weight and physical condition posed significant challenges.

Becton returned and put together a mostly healthy 2023 season, but his on-field production left a lot to be desired. He led all offensive tackles with 12 sacks allowed and was among the most penalized offensive linemen in football.

Few were surprised when he left to sign a cheap one-year deal with the Eagles in the offseason. But after switching to offensive guard in the summer, Becton managed to earn a starting job and hasn't looked back since.

Becton finished with a career-high 75.2 Pro Football Focus grade, allowing just three sacks and 25 pressures. His redemption arc has been one of the most remarkable stories in the NFL this season.

Mekhi Becton is on his way to the NFC Championship Game. It's safe to say he's in a better place now than he was a year ago.

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