Report: Jets Decline Mekhi Becton's Fifth-Year Option

The offensive tackle for the New York Jets has missed the last two seasons due to knee injury.

NEW YORK - The New York Jets have declined the fifth-year option for former Louisville star offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, according to ESPN Dianna Russini.

Becton is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, signed when he was picked by the Jets with the No. 11 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is set to make $5.9 million in 2023, and will be free agent after the season.

The 6-foot-7, 363-pound left tackle has suffered season-ending injuries to his right knee for the past two seasons. In week one of the 2021 season against the Panthers, he suffered a knee cap dislocation and MCL sprain. He then suffered an avulsion fracture of the knee cap during training camp just before the 2022 season.

According to ESPN's Rich Crimini, Becton is hoping to return to the start of training camp. Crimini reported that Becton had reached "about 400 pounds during his inactivity," but is now down to 342 pounds.

Becton began his career with a promising rookie campaign in 2020. He played in 14 games that season, and was ranked as the No. 31 overall tackle by Pro Football Focus.

The Highland Springs, Va. native started all 33 games in which he played during his time at Louisville. He helped establish a resurgent Cardinals offense in 2019, was named First Team All-ACC as junior, and named the recipient of the 2019 ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy.

(Photo of Mekhi Becton: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

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