Just when it looked like the Los Angeles Chargers were letting free agency pass them by, they struck a huge deal on Friday night by signing offensive lineman Mekhi Becton to a two-year deal.
Jim Harbaugh has always been known for having a stout offensive line but the signing of Becton gives the team a chance to institute a brand new level of bully ball in LA.
Becton was a first-round pick of the New York Jets in 2020. Drafted as a tackle to protect his quarterback’s blind side, Becton flopped in that role and was considered a big draft bust. The Jets allowed him to walk in free agency last year and he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles to a one-year deal.
Rather than trying to make it work at tackle, the Eagles moved him to one of the guard slots and it was a brilliant decision. Becton is a 6-foot-7 mammoth and putting him at guard helped give the Eagles the most imposing offensive line in the NFL, a big reason why they won the Super Bowl.
Rather than protecting the blind side for Jalen Hurts, Becton was clearing rushing lanes for Saquon Barkley, who had one of the best seasons for a running back in NFL history.
Mekhi Becton signs a 2-year deal with the Chargers 👀 pic.twitter.com/mIN5CZpvqA
— Chargers Central (@BoltCentral) March 15, 2025
The Chargers — who already have Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt at the tackle spots — will presumably play Becton at guard as well, making this a fantastic move. It’s somewhat surprising to see the Eagles let him get away, but it gives the Chargers a chance to have one of the most physical lines in football next year.
With Najee Harris being signed as the lead back, it’s not hard to see what Harbaugh is trying to do with this team offensively. It’s going to be an all day fight when you play the Chargers.
This is the best move the Chargers have made in free agency so far this offseason and there isn’t much to dislike about this deal. Becton will turn just 26 years old in April and could still have the best football of his playing career in front of him.
Grade: A
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