After playing out a one-year, prove-it contract in Philadelphia, offensive lineman Mekhi Becton rehabilitated his image as a former first-round pick in the eyes of the NFL with a highly successful, Super Bowl-winning season. The success he found with his new team will result in a new contract with another team as the now free agent has agreed to a two-year deal with the Chargers, per Tim McManus of ESPN.
After getting drafted 11th overall out of Louisville in 2020, Becton was verging on bust status with the Jets. An impressive rookie season saw him battle back from an early injury to start 13 of 14 game appearances, ranking as the 31st-best offensive tackle out of 79 players graded at the position, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). After being carted off the field in Week 1 of his sophomore campaign, Becton missed the next 33 regular season games, including the entire 2022 NFL season after he suffered an avulsion fracture of his right kneecap in training camp.
With a disappointing start to his NFL career, the Jets opted to decline his fifth-year option. Before the injury prior to 2022, New York had moved Becton to right tackle, a move he didn’t agree with. At one point, it seemed like Becton might be fighting for a roster spot, but he eventually was awarded the starting right tackle job for 2023. When starting left tackle Duane Brown was placed on injured reserve early in the year, New York’s hand was forced, and they moved Becton back to the left side.
A rough season, in which Becton ranked 66th out of 81 offensive tackles, per PFF, failed to establish the young lineman as a long-term option for the team. As a result, the Jets did not seek to re-sign him. Instead, he signed with the Eagles. Just like with the Jets, Becton desired to earn a long-term deal with the Eagles and, as a result, was even willing to play some guard, eventually winning the starting right guard job.
A resurgent season saw Becton play the best football of his career. En route to a Super Bowl title, Becton ranked as the 20th-best guard in the league, per PFF. Near the opening of free agency, Becton reiterated his desire to remain in Philadelphia, but he began to draw a lot of interest in free agency. Now, Becton will have two years in Los Angeles to earn that long-term deal he so desires.
In Los Angeles, the Chargers are set at center (Bradley Bozeman), left guard (Zion Johnson), and both tackle spots (Joe Alt & Rashawn Slater). The team watched…