Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles helmets (Photos by Imagn Images)
After a storybook one-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, offensive lineman Mekhi Becton has decided to take his talents to Los Angeles.
Per Eagles ESPN reporter Tim McManus, the Los Angeles Chargers have signed Mekhi Becton to a two-year contract. The 2020 first-round pick plans to continue lining up at guard, McManus added.
The 6-foot-7, 363-pound Becton was drafted 11th overall by the New York Jets in 2020. But Becton never reached his full potential in Gotham, and injuries limited him to 31 games with the club (he missed all of 2022 with a fractured kneecap).
But the Louisville product had an excellent 2024 campaign in Philly after signing a one-year deal. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just three sacks on 450 pass-blocking snaps.
PFF also graded the 25-year-old Mekhi Becton at 75.2 on the year, 21st among 135 guards. This was highlighted by an excellent run-blocking grade of 74.7, which placed him 19th among all guards.
Becton helped superstar running back Saquon Barkley enjoy a career year that saw him rush for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to Offensive Player of the Year honors. Becton’s special year with the Eagles culminated in a Super Bowl 59 championship, with Philadelphia defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.
The Eagles are actually slated to visit the Chargers in the 2025 regular season, so Becton won’t have to wait long to say hello to his former teammates and coaches.
Mekhi Becton Joins A Top-Tier Chargers Offensive Line
Mekhi Becton (Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Becton comes to a Chargers offensive line led by two-time Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater and 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt, who enjoyed a superb rookie season under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
In Becton’s defense, the Jets’ offensive line was a disaster during his three seasons with the organization. As we saw in Philadelphia, playing with quality pass-blockers really does make a difference for a young lineman who hasn’t hit his ceiling yet.
