NFL Rumors: Duane Brown, Jets 'Have Mutual Interest' in Contract as Teams Eye OT

As concern mounts about the status of New York Jets right tackle Mekhi Becton, the Jets have expressed interest in signing veteran offensive tackle Duane Brown.

General manager Joe Douglas said Tuesday on WFAN's Boomer and Gio (h/t ESPN's Rich Cimini) that the "wheels are in motion" regarding a potential signing.

The Jets could be without Becton for a significant period after he suffered a knee injury in practice Monday. Coach Robert Saleh confirmed on WFAN that "it's not looking good" for the 2020 first-round pick.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported several teams have been in contact with Brown, but he has "mutual interest" with the Jets. The 36-year-old spent the previous four-and-a-half seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before hitting the open market in March.

Brown was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport last month and charged with possession of a concealed weapon after authorities found an unloaded gun in his luggage. Brown's agent, Kennard McGuire, said it was an accident.

"To err is human, and this clearly was an accident," McGuire told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. "As a law-abiding citizen, Duane will continue to exercise proper judgment and continue education on gun safety measures."

The arrest and charge do not appear to have impacted teams' interest in Brown on the open market, and he may have found a perfect landing spot in New York. The Jets are desperate to keep second-year quarterback Zach Wilson upright and spent their offseason adding weapons around the former BYU star.

Becton's injury could be a major setback in their offensive outlook for the 2022 campaign, but Brown should be able to step in and provide an adequate replacement. While he's dealt with his own knee issues in recent seasons, Brown received a 71.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season. Though he allowed eight sacks, he committed just five penalties.