The New York Jets may enter the market for two new starting guards this offseason.
Both Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson are unrestricted free agents. They’re expected to sign elsewhere next week when free agency officially begins.
The Jets played Joe Tippmann at guard last season following Vera-Tucker’s injury, with Josh Myers filling the center position..
We’ll see if Tippmann plans to remain at guard, or slides back to his more natural guard position. Either way, Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich will require one new starting guard, at minimum.
One free-agent guard who just hit the market unexpectedly is former Jets first-round pick Mekhi Becton, who was released by the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this week.
Becton has endured a wild career arc. Should the Jets consider reuniting with him?
The Jets drafted Becton with the 11th pick in 2020 to play offensive tackle. He disappointed throughout the terms of his rookie contract and left for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. The Eagles moved Becton at guard, where he played exceptionally well en route to winning Super Bowl LIX.
Becton parlayed that into signing a two-year, $20 million contract with the Chargers in free agency last season. He played poorly again, though he was a poor fit in their scheme. The Chargers may deserve more blame for this failure than Becton does.
The Jets and Becton probably aren’t holding grudges. Darren Mougey, Glenn, and Reich were not in East Rutherford when Becton was. He’s a player worth considering in free agency given the need at offensive guard.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Should the Jets consider a reunion with free agent Mekhi Becton?
Reporting by Justin Melo, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
