Why the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers and Mekhi Becton share a special bond،
FLORHAM PARK, NJ – A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:
1. Emotional introduction: The meeting took place in Las Vegas, where the Jets played three weeks ago. Mekhi Becton’s mother introduced herself to Aaron Rodgers, and soon there was a warm hug and tears of joy for Semone Becton.
There have been plenty of stories since the spring about the star quarterback’s impact on individual Jets players. Becton, the 6-foot-7, 360-pound tackle, could top the list. After battling two devastating knee injuries, a weight issue and intense criticism from fans and media during his first three seasons, the 2020 first-round pick felt alienated at times. He needed support.
Recognizing the situation, Rodgers took Becton under his wing before the season, and they hit it off. In Vegas, Rodgers received his mother’s approval.
“She walked up to him and just said, ‘Thank you for getting my son back,’ and things like that,” Becton told ESPN. “And he said to me, ‘Mrs. Becton, I hug your son every day, so I know what it’s like.’ And she started crying a little bit and they even kissed. So it was a big moment, for sure.”
Playing with a twice-repaired right knee that still isn’t 100 percent, Becton has come through the season with a newfound determination. He missed his first game last week with a sprained ankle, but is expected to return to the lineup Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. He’s finally becoming the player he was supposed to be and he gives Rodgers a lot of credit.
“I want to have him as an ear, as a person that really listens and that I can really speak to, he understands where I’m coming from,” Becton said. “It’s been really easy to talk to him and stuff like that.”
It’s not just about football.
“It’s more spiritual,” he says. “I’m just opening my eyes to new things, of course.”
When Rodgers came out of the locker room Wednesday — his first practice since Sept. 13 Achilles surgery — he noticed Becton in the trainer’s area and walked over to him. The two men hugged for several seconds. For what? Because it was their daily hug, that’s why.
2. Frustrated cook: Dalvin Cook had just one rushing attempt in the most recent game – a career low. It was two races the week before. For the season, there are only 50. Needless to say, this season is not going as he envisioned in August, when he signed a one-year contract worth 7 million of dollars.
“For any guy who has produced in this league, it’s frustrating,” the four-time Pro Bowl running back told ESPN. “You want to be productive.”
Cook said he doesn’t regret his decision to sign with the Jets and doesn’t expect to be traded before the Oct. 31 deadline. He said he would not seek release because his family is based in New Jersey. Basically, he’ll just get through it.
“I was just hoping to be in the right situation for me,” he said. “Like I said, I want an opportunity. I feel good. My body is ready to roll. I was just hoping for a good opportunity.”
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Cook spoke in the past tense. Asked if he thought his opportunity had passed, he replied: “Tell me.” He won’t go to the coaches to ask for more touches.
“Honestly, I feel like if you put my tape in, I’ve proven myself in this league,” he said. “I’m not begging for portages. I feel like I was brought here for a reason.”
Cook, who did not have a training camp, was slow at the start of the season, but he has seemed faster in recent weeks (41 yards on his last seven carries). It might be a good idea to give him more touches, especially with Breece Hall mired in a six-game slump. Cook watches and waits.
“I think I could change the game sometimes,” he said. “It’s just who I am.”
3. Reality check: The Jets are criticized for their handling of the backup quarterback position. Clearly, the offseason decision to give the job to Zach Wilson didn’t work out. But know this: when a team is forced to play its replacement, the results are rarely good.
Look around the league. When forced to start a backup due to a starter injury, teams are 14-26 (.350), according to ESPN Stats & Information research. (This does not include Jets backups.) The only backups with at least two wins and a QBR total above league average (52.4) are Gardner Minshew of the Indianapolis Colts (4-3, 53.7) and Tyson of the Chicago Bears. Bagent (2-2, 53.5).
Wilson and Tim Boyle have a combined record of 3-7 (.300). While that’s no excuse for the offense to perform at a historically mediocre level, the league-wide trend shows that head coaches can’t work miracles with a QB2.
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4. Beautiful wheels: Rodgers has a custom scooter in front of his locker. It’s green (of course), with the number 8 painted white. There’s a little New Jersey license plate, a vanity plate that says “LOOK AT ME.” A teammate snapped: “Nobody touches that thing.”
5. Just Soup: In his first interview with local media after his injury, Rodgers revealed one of the secrets to his speedy recovery: bone broth.
“I drink fucking bone broth every day,” he said.
The broth contains large amounts of nutrients and collagen, which benefits the tendons, among other things. Rodgers, who is still aiming to play this season, believes his diet has been key to his speedy recovery. He avoids foods that trigger inflammatory responses. Examples: sugar, red meat and fried foods.
6. Pine weather: Receiver Allen Lazard said he was “caught off guard” by last week’s benching. He understood the reason once it was explained to him. It’s been a disappointing year for Lazard, who has just 20 catches after signing a four-year, $44 million contract. He knows he can be better, but he also emphasized that football is the ultimate team sport. He will be active against the Falcons, coach Robert Saleh said.
Wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni challenged his players, telling them that someone had to take on the WR2 role opposite Garrett Wilson. “But no one has taken the bait yet,” he said. Lazard was supposed to be that guy.
7. Hammer time: Saleh did not hesitate to go after underperforming players. Consider: He benched Lazard and Zach Wilson, demoted running back Michael Carter (traded) and phased out wide receiver Randall Cobb. Also traded was wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who never really had a chance.
Who’s next? It probably won’t happen this week, but tight end CJ Uzomah has seen his playing time dwindle to almost nothing. There are no other options on the roster, but that could change next week when Kenny Yeboah could be activated from injured reserve.
8. No “person” to celebrate: The Jets have played 11 games, or 65% of the season. Why is this remarkable? Well, that’s when the Green Bay Packers and Cheesehead Nation were hoping to enter the draft lottery.
The conditional 2024 second-round pick in the Rodgers trade was projected to become a first-rounder if he played in 65% of snaps this season. The suspense ended in week 1. His total: Four snaps, which projects to 0.004% of snaps.
9. Ball magnet: Backup safety Ashtyn Davis recorded two interceptions and two fumble recoveries, one of five Jets since 2008 with at least two of each in a season. But here’s the surprising part: He only played 100 snaps on defense.
10. The last word: “If you can’t call your best players on offense, you can’t really call anyone. I said it last week: I’m proud to be an ‘A’ player. If I am called, you can I won’t be hurt. You can’t be sad about it. — Breece Hall, lightly criticized by Saleh
