NY Jets OT Mekhi Becton seems unlikely to start Week 1

NY Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton has gotten himself into the best shape of his career this offseason. He's shown up to training camp in excellent physical conditioning and appears ready to pick up where he left off following an impressive rookie season three years ago.

Unfortunately, the Jets don't seem to feel the same way.

Becton has been working exclusively with the second-team offense this summer, even with Duane Brown still sidelined. Billy Turner and Max Mitchell have been the first-team tackles, while Becton has been left to block for Zach Wilson and the backups.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that Becton was on a "pitch count," but that still didn't prevent him from allowing three would-be sacks during Tuesday's practice.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported after practice that Becton "has a long way to go before he’s ready to seriously push Brown, Turner, or Mitchell for a starting job."

Don't expect Mekhi Becton to start for the NY Jets come Week 1

The 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Becton appeared in 14 games as a rookie and seemed well on his way to becoming one of the best young offensive tackles in the NFL.

Unfortunately, he's played just one regular-season game since that injury. Knee injuries have wiped out consecutive seasons and threatened to derail his career. Concerns about Becton's weight and work ethic (per reports) haven't helped his reputation, either.

Still, the work Becton has put in this offseason cannot be overlooked. The Jets clearly don't seem to be impressed, however.

Rumors that Becton could be traded before the start of the season have popped up, and his place on the depth chart should only help further those rumors. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Jets tried to get something for him before he hits free agency next spring.

Meanwhile, this opens up the possibility that either Turner or Mitchell could start at right tackle. Turner has been playing left tackle with the first-team offense (with Brown sidelined), while Mitchell has been starting at right tackle.

Either way, it seems unlikely that Becton will be a starter come Week 1. In reality, it's unclear if he'll even be on the Jets' roster by the time September rolls around.