5 forgotten NY Jets who signed with new teams for 2024
4. Laken Tomlinson, OG
New Team: Seattle Seahawks
The Jets hoped for more when they brought in Laken Tomlinson going into the 2022 NFL season. Unfortunately, he struggled with pass blocking as well as run blocking. That's...not what you want from your starting left guard.
He was definitely durable for the Jets, starting all 34 games the past two seasons, similar to Jordan Whitehead. But he let up too many QB pressures, leading all guards with 51 pressures allowed last season.
Some thought that the Jets might keep him around due to his potential upside and his ability to stay on the field, but his $18 million cap hit proved too big. The team decided to release him.
He signed a one-year deal, worth up to $4 million with the Seattle Seahawks. The Jets replaced him with John Simpson, a 26-year-old guard coming from Baltimore, who has also been inconsistent at best. This is a big "we shall see" situation for the Jets.
5. Mekhi Becton
New Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Many fans will certainly not miss this guy. Whether it was his inability to remain healthy or his inconsistent play, Mekhi Becton was a major disappointment for the Jets. He is a talented player, but his output has been well below what was expected of him thus far in his career.
As the 11th overall pick in 2020, Becton had a promising rookie season. After that, over the next two seasons, he played only one game for the Jets due to multiple season-ending knee injuries.
Last year, Becton appeared in 16 games but simply did not play well. The Jets decided this offseason that it was not worth bringing back the failed project.
Becton signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, who appear for the second time on our list (and who also signed former Jets defensive end Bryce Huff, becoming the ultimate Jets poacher).
Becton is slotted to backup veteran right tackle Lane Johnson, which is possibly the perfect situation for him. This will allow him the chance to reset, get in shape, and learn from one of the greatest offensive linemen of his generation. It could be Becton's last chance in the NFL to prove he is worth getting a chance to start again one day.
As for the Jets, they replaced Becton with Tyron Smith, another one of the greatest linemen of this generation. As long as Smith stays healthy, the Jets should not miss Becton in 2024.