Mekhi Becton was the Chargers’ biggest and priciest free-agent addition this offseason, brought in to shore up their much-needed interior offensive line. The former Super Bowl champion gave Los Angeles exactly what it was missing.
With Becton gone, the Eagles turned to 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen to take over at right guard. However, questions surrounded Steen entering 2025, leaving Philadelphia fans uneasy about replacing such a key player.
Those doubts were put to rest in Week 1 against the Cowboys. Steen didn’t just hold his own—he delivered the best performance of his young career. His highlight came on a Saquon Barkley touchdown run, where he drove his defender nearly all the way to the end zone in true Blindside fashion.
Eagles don’t miss a beat without Mekhi Becton, which may worry Chargers fans
If Mekhi Becton had a proven track record with years of consistent success, there wouldn’t be as much doubt about whether he can repeat last season’s performance. But that hasn’t been the story of his career.
Before his one-year stint with the Eagles, Becton was viewed as a first-round bust. His time with the Jets was marred by injuries, and he never developed into the franchise tackle they expected.
Philadelphia took a chance on him, shifted him to guard, and he delivered a career-best season. Still, given how another struggling player also thrived in the same system, it’s fair to wonder if Becton’s success was more about the environment than his individual ability.
Even in that strong season, there were flaws. His pass-block efficiency, according to Pro Football Focus, matched that of Bradley Bozeman and Zion Johnson—not exactly elite company.
Becton now has the chance to quickly quiet doubts. Facing the same Chiefs team he just helped beat in the Super Bowl, another solid showing against Chris Jones would boost confidence among Chargers fans.
Of course, the opposite could happen. If Becton falters in his Chargers debut—and if his fellow interior linemen struggle too—concerns will only grow, especially with how sharp Tyler Steen looked in Philadelphia’s opener.
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