Mekhi Becton
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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Los Angeles Chargers officially plan to release guard Mekhi Becton before 2026 NFL free agency.
There are a lot of potential reunions on the table for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. Officially, the list now includes offensive lineman Mekhi Becton.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday morning the Los Angeles Chargers will release Becton before the start of NFL free agency. The league’s legal tampering period begins on March 9. Free agents can begin signing their contracts at 4 pm ET on March 11.
“The move saves Los Angeles $9.7 million on the cap,” Fowler wrote on X.
Jeremy Fowler
The Chargers plan to release guard Mekhi Becton in the coming days, per source. The move saves Los Angeles $9.7 million on the cap.
Becton had a strong rookie season with the New York Jets in 2020 but injuries set back the lineman the rest of his rookie contract. That caused Becton to only sign a 1-year deal with the Eagles during his first time as a free agent.
With the Eagles, Becton moved to guard and became a key part of the offensive line that blocked for Saquon Barkley during his 2,000-yard season.
Behind his strong 2024, Becton signed a 2-year, $20 million deal with the Chargers last year in free agency.
Chargers Releasing Guard Mekhi Becton: Report
Pundits have named Becton a cut candidate throughout this offseason. So, it’s not at all surprising the Chargers have elected to part ways with the guard.
The Chargers offensive line received significant criticism for its performance during the 2025 season. That included Becton, who the team saw as a potential long-term solution at right guard.
According to the Pro Football Focus player grades, though, Becton experienced, by far, his worst season in the NFL with the Chargers. He earned a 37.1 PFF player grade out of 100.
Becton struggled most in run blocking, but he scored his worst PFF grades in both run blocking and pass protection.
During 2024 with the Eagles, Becton posted a 70.8 PFF player grade. That was Becton’s best mark since his 2020 rookie campaign.
The Jets selected the 6-foot-7 and 363-pound lineman at No. 11 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft to play left tackle. He performed very well as a rookie, appearing to be worth every bit of his draft position.
During Week 1 of 2021, though, Becton suffered a knee injury that sidelined him the rest of the season. In 2022, the Jets flipped Becton to right tackle, but another knee injury during August knocked him out the entire regular season.
Upon returning in 2023, Becton was average and then departed the Jets during free agency.
Could the Eagles Pursue Becton in 2026 NFL Free Agency?
With the Eagles 2024 starting right guard available again, the question is whether Philadelphia will have any interest.
25-year-old Tyler Steen started at right guard for the Eagles in 2025. Based on the PFF player grades, he played very well, and Steen has one year left on his rookie contract.
Left guard Landon Dickerson is also set to return. Dickerson reportedly contemplated retirement this offseason.
Without a place to start Becton in 2026, it’s probably unlikely he will return to Philadelphia.
During the final week of February, Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline reported two other reasons why the Eagles probably aren’t going to pursue Becton this offseason.
“During Shrine Bowl week, I was told that Becton has returned to many of his former ways, including firing the agency that helped get his game back on track, and that has raised red flags with the Philadelphia Eagles,” Pauline wrote. “The Eagles were surprised (if not shocked) and disappointed by the turn of events.
“The fact that the Eagles parted ways with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland also has people here at the combine believing a potential reunion between Becton and Philadelphia is a reach at this point.”
More than likely, Becton will have to find a new team in 2026. That, though, would give him a better chance to start anyway.