Robert Saleh took a page out of The Office playbook Saturday when asked about Mekhi Becton’s absence from the team’s voluntary offseason program.
Becton, recovering from a knee injury that essentially cost him the entire 2021 season, has been working out in Dallas, Texas. He has been training with long-time offensive line coach Duke Manyweather and has been working with a new nutritionist to keep his weight in check. The tackle’s girlfriend is pregnant and is slated to give birth later this spring.
The Jets have not sounded too concerned about Becton’s absence; Joe Douglas recently stressed that the program is voluntary and that Becton needs to focus on his incoming newborn. On Saturday, Saleh also noted the program’s optional element, though he did look straight into the camera so that he could get a message to Becton.
“We’d love you back here, buddy!” Saleh said with a smile. “Come on. We’ll take care of you.”
While Saleh and the Jets would love to have all their players present, the team has been getting updates on Becton and seems encouraged with his progress.
“I know he’s working his tail off in Dallas,” Saleh said. “We have tabs on him. We know exactly what he’s doing and we know where he is within his rehab.”
Whenever Becton joins the team, he will be in competition with George Fant. Both tackles are expected to start, but Fant took over on the left side while Becton was injured in 2021. Depending on how things shake out this offseason, Becton could find himself playing right tackle for the first time as a pro in 2022.
Fant has already said that he prefers the left side, though he’ll play where needed.
“Obviously, I’d like to have one spot and stick with it,” Fant said earlier this week. “I feel like I’m a natural left tackle. I’m more natural on the left side. I’m going to do all in my power to stay there, but I can control what I can control. I’ll do everything I can. I’ll do all I can, but I…