Guard Mekhi Becton is one of the best free agent offensive linemen remaining on the market, and the reigning Super Bowl champion is reportedly being selective with his next home. Originally entering the league as a first-round pick, the Louisville product began his career at tackle with the Jets before transitioning to right guard in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles. That move worked wonders, as Becton finished the season with a 70.7 PFF grade, the 20th-best mark in the league, while helping the Eagles win their second Super Bowl in team history.
Now set to cash in on the open market, several insiders believed the offensive lineman could land with the Cincinnati Bengals. However, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, that won’t happen. According to the insider, free agent Mekhi Becton “isn’t an option” for the Bengals, and added that the right guard “doesn’t appear to be a fit on either side.”
As the Bengals search for a starting guard continues, I can report that Mekhi Becton isn’t an option as of right now.
After years of linking him to the Bengals, it doesn’t appear to be a fit on either side.
The team is interested in Teven Jenkins, but he has other suitors.…
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) March 12, 2025
This report comes as something of a surprise, as the Cincinnati Bengals need to improve their offensive line. However, with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase needing extensions, perhaps the organization feels they cannot afford a high-priced guard. Even though he won’t play in Cincinnati, Mekhi Becton could easily land with the following four teams as a free agent.
Free Agent Mekhi Becton Won’t Sign With Bengals – Other Fits Possible
Next Teams
New Orleans Saints
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Even though the New Orleans Saints hired a new head coach in Kellen Moore, General Manager Mickey Loomis has continued his usual approach to team building by mortgaging the future for some short-term gains. Derek Carr is back for another season, and while he is good enough to win games in a strong environment, he’ll struggle to make the playoffs with the current offensive line. Carr struggles against pressure, so adding a free agent like Mekhi Becton could prevent another injury-plagued season.
Seattle Seahawks
After leading the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs, Sam Darnold has effectively replaced Geno Smith as the most important man on the Seattle Seahawks. The quarterback had a fantastic season last year, but his success came in a near-perfect environment. Darnold previously crashed and burned with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers largely because the offensive lines were terrible. Unfortunately, Seattle’s offensive line is one of the worst in football, and the Seahawks must sign a free agent like Mekhi Becton if they want Darnold to play to his fullest potential.
New England Patriots
Drake Maye put together a remarkable season in a disastrous environment last season, but he won’t survive another season behind this disastrous offensive line. While the team improved the right tackle position with Morgan Moses, they need another guard. Mike Onwenu is locked in on the right side, but perhaps Becton can switch to the left side and give Maye adequate protection along the interior.
Los Angeles Chargers
Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win football games the old-fashioned way, and nothing screams 1980’s football more than a 6′-7″, 363-pound right guard. The Chargers already upgraded their backfield with the physical Najee Harris, but now they need someone to clear out rushing lanes. Los Angeles already has an elite tackle duo, but bolstering the interior with a free agent like Mekhi Becton could give the team a top-five offensive line in 2025.
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