Jets have awkward problem on their hands as 2023 left tackle struggles continue

Aaron Rodgers practices with Jets against Panthers

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There’s an elephant in the New York Jets offensive line room. And it’s getting larger by the day. 

As joint practices continue between the Jets and Panthers, the weakness of New York’s offensive line continues to be shown. Over the last week, both starting tackles Max Mitchell and Billy Turner have struggled to consistently protect the Jets’ franchise quarterback. It’s a problem that came to a head on Wednesday. 

“I sensed frustration from everybody — everybody on the O-line, the coaches, Aaron. You can’t go three-and-out in a two-minute drive like that,” center Connor McGovern said. “I think there was disappointment from the whole team.”

Luckily for New York, their solution is already on the roster, and the way he’s performed over the last two weeks has made a difficult situation awkward. 

Mekhi Becton may not have full trust in his knee according to his coaching staff, but the 24-year-old first-round pick is certainly no longer playing with any limitation to his game. During Wednesday’s practice, Becton reportedly pancaked a defender on a running play and was stout in team sessions. Working only with the second team since training camp began, Becton’s improved play has been hard to miss over the last several weeks. 

Yet with Becton’s play improving, and snaps with the first-team continuously going to other players, the awkward questions have begun to creep up. 

Why won’t the Jets play their best offensive tackle with the first team in practice?

There are, of course, several factors as to why the Jets have been more than patient with their former first-round pick. Becton…