NY Jets expect Mekhi Becton and the entire team to be at mandatory minicamp

The NY Jets have been closely monitoring the progress of offensive tackle Mekhi Becton this offseason as he continues to make his way back from a knee injury that cost him essentially all of the 2021 season.

But to this point, that monitoring has had to come from afar with the third-year offensive lineman away from the team during voluntary OTAs. To Becton's credit, he has a pretty good excuse as he and his girlfriend just recently welcomed their first child.

Life stuff like that always comes before football, but the Jets are eager to get Becton and anyone else not with the team back into the fold come the start of mandatory minicamp next week.

Head coach Robert Saleh spoke to the media following Wednesday's practice and insisted that the Jets expect 100 percent attendance for mandatory minicamp which is set to begin on June 14th and run through June 16th.

That includes Becton who is also expected to reunite with his teammates later this month at minicamp.

Mekhi Becton has a lot to prove to the NY Jets in 2022

Few players have more to prove in 2022 than Becton. Following a very promising rookie season that saw him emerge as one of the best young offensive linemen in football, Becton was forced to miss all but one game in 2021 after suffering a significant knee injury in Week 1.

What would follow would be months of miscommunication in regard to Becton's recovery timetable coupled with rumors that the team was far from pleased with his rehab.

Rumors emerged that the Jets could even look to replace him in the 2022 NFL Draft, although those subsided after the team waited until the fourth round to select an offensive lineman.

The Jets are counting on Becton to return motivated and healthy in 2022, and they should receive their first opportunity to see him in action in just about a week's time.

Mekhi Becton enters this season under immense pressure to not only stay healthy but to live up to his pre-draft expectations. The Jets are banking on him — it's up to him to reward them for their trust.