Former first-round draft pick Mekhi Becton is set to sign a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to agents Alan Herman and Jared Fox. The signing, which was encouraged by Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, is pending a physical.
Becton, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle, started 16 games last season for the New York Jets, a significant accomplishment given his injury history. He missed 33 out of 34 games in 2021 and 2022 due to two surgeries on his right knee.
The Eagles were in need of bolstering their offensive line depth after losing Brandon Brooks and Jack Driscoll in free agency. With stalwart right tackle Lane Johnson turning 34 in May, there was speculation that the Eagles would draft a tackle in the first round, but the board didn’t fall that way for Philadelphia.
Stoutland has earned a high level of trust within the Eagles organization, having consistently shown his ability to maximize the talent of his players. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment is helping Jordan Mailata, a former Australian rugby player with zero football experience, develop into a top-end starting left tackle.
Becton’s career has been a roller coaster of emotions, featuring a promising rookie year, two seasons wiped out by injuries, and a comeback campaign in 2023. His struggles began in the 2021 opener when a teammate rolled up his right leg. The Jets never ruled him out for the season, but he ended up missing the remainder of the campaign after arthroscopic surgery.
During his layoff, Becton’s weight ballooned to 400 pounds, raising concerns within the Jets organization about his football future. His first comeback attempt was short-lived, as he reinjured his right knee during the first week of the 2022 training camp, requiring major surgery. He blamed the coaching staff for the injury, claiming that their decision to switch him to right tackle put added stress on his surgically repaired right knee – a claim that was confirmed by his personal doctor.
With his career at a crossroads, Becton rededicated himself, dropped 50 pounds, and reported to camp last summer at about 350 pounds. To the surprise of many, he won the right tackle job and made a seamless return to left tackle in Week 3, replacing the injured Andre Dillard.
Back at his natural position, where he delivered highlight-film blocks as a rookie, Becton flashed his immense potential for long stretches in 2023. He committed 12 penalties (second-most in the NFL) and allowed 12.5 sacks, according to Next Gen Stats, but he was satisfied because he accomplished his No. 1 goal: staying healthy.
Becton, who has appeared in only 31 games in four years, became an unrestricted free agent after the Jets declined his fifth-year option. He joins an Eagles offensive line that is expected to be one of the best in the NFL in 2023.
