Just five days away from the opening of legal tampering (March 9, 12 p.m. EST), the New York Jets have plenty of decisions to make with their offensive line.

Starting guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson are both scheduled to hit free agency in the coming weeks. While retaining both is unrealistic, the Jets would be smart to retain one of them.

Of course, general manager Darren Mougey may simply look to move on from both. A strong draft class and quality free agents could push the Jets to look for cheaper options in the open market.

Should New York decide to go the route of a full revamp at left guard, there’s a familiar name who should be considered after a successful position change.

Mekhi Becton’s free agency market

Recently released by the Los Angeles Chargers, guard Mekhi Becton is set for the open market.

Becton was an up-and-coming first-round tackle for the Jets just a few years ago. The 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft had an impressive rookie season before struggling throughout his four-year career in Florham Park.

Injuries and attitude were major issues, leading to Becton happily walking away following the 2023 season. After just four seasons with the Jets and multiple knee surgeries, the Louisville product found a new home in Philadelphia for the 2024 season, where he shifted from tackle to guard.

It was at right guard that Becton found his greatest success. He contributed to an Eagles offensive line that was the best in football and led the team to a Super Bowl victory.

Becton’s time in Philly resurrected his career, highlighting how a position change could alter a player’s trajectory. Now, as a guard, Becton’s pure strength and size fit well for teams looking for physical offensive linemen in free agency.

Many Jets fans won’t be thrilled to see Becton’s name on a list of free agent potential candidates, but it’s a possibility that makes sense all around.

First, the projected market values of Simpson ($6.3 million per Spotrac) and Vera-Tucker ($12.8 million) are more than the Jets may be willing to spend for a starting left guard. Yes, the team has the cap space (over $70 million), but that money could be spent at other positions of need.

Becton’s projected contract is expected to come far cheaper than either former starter. Coming off a year of struggles in Los Angeles, Becton will likely have to sign a cheap one-year flier. That would work well for the Jets’ financial situation.

While it seems like a far-fetched idea on paper, context is critical. Having Becton compete for a starting guard role is a completely different scenario than when the Jets expected him to be their franchise left tackle as a first-round pick.

It also helps that the team has a well-respected offensive line coach, Steve Heiden, one of the few coaches from the 2025 season who survived Aaron Glenn’s overhaul. The work that Heiden did to get Joe Tippmann, Olu Fashanu, and first-round rookie Armand Membou to excel inspires hope that he could get a player like Becton to bounce back in 2026.

New York could also use Becton as a potential backup if they want to bring Simpson or Vera-Tucker.

There are many different avenues the team could pursue. Staying away from Becton entirely is certainly one of them.

But the reunion makes more sense than some may be willing to admit.

Jets offensive line projection

Three-fifths of the Jets’ offensive line is set. They have three ascending, Pro Bowl-caliber players in Fashanu, Membou, and Tippmann. Most of the great offensive lines around the league have just two top players surrounded by a collection of solid pieces.

New York is in a rare class.

How the organization fills the left guard position will be important, but it won’t sink the entire offense. With their large chunk of cap space this offseason, it could make sense for the Jets to simply sign Vera-Tucker or Simpson and be done with the question.

But depth will always be important. Becton’s market value won’t be nearly as high as it was last season, when he netted a $10 million salary from the Chargers. He can bring quality depth to the Jets’ unit.

If the 26-year-old values respected coaching in the offensive line room and wants to be part of a strong group, the Jets make sense as a landing spot. Things may have gone rough for him the last time he was in Florham Park, but this is an entirely different regime.

Should Becton command under $5 million annually, the pursuit should be a no-brainer for New York. They can add a starting-caliber guard for a low price to be a role player on a rising group.

It’s unlikely to happen, of course. There were reasons beyond injuries that led Becton to leave the Jets in despair.

But New York’s offensive line, front office, and coaching staff are completely different than when Becton last played a down in Florham Park. That could lead to a reunion on the cheap that makes sense for both sides.