One of the most remarkable aspects of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning season was the number of key contributors who had been cast aside by their previous teams.
Offensive lineman Mekhi Becton was among them. Once considered a first-round bust after four seasons with the New York Jets, Becton signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Eagles in March 2024. After transitioning from tackle to guard, he delivered a dominant season.
In an ideal scenario, Becton would remain with the Eagles and continue helping them contend for championships, especially since he’s just 25 and entering his prime. However, Philadelphia likely won’t be able to afford him.
With Spotrac projecting Becton’s market value at a four-year, $40.9 million contract and the Eagles having only $18 million in projected cap space—while already heavily invested in their offensive line—keeping him is improbable.
Depending on how free agency unfolds, Becton’s best landing spot might be with the Kansas City Chiefs, the very team the Eagles defeated in Super Bowl LIX on February 9.
How Becton Could Wind Up With Chiefs
One of the most coveted free agents in the 2025 cycle is Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith, a 6-foot-6, 312-pound Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion.
Like Mekhi Becton, Smith is 25 years old and entering his prime, but he holds a higher reputation since he has spent his entire career with the Chiefs. However, retaining him could be costly for Kansas City, as his projected market value stands at four years, $78.8 million. If Smith departs, Becton could serve as a capable replacement without a significant drop-off in performance.
In 2024, Smith earned a 78.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), ranking 14th out of 135 NFL guards. Meanwhile, Becton, in his first season playing the position, received a 75.2 grade, placing him 21st. Given his limited experience at guard, Becton’s understanding of the role is likely to improve, suggesting he could be even better in 2025.
While Smith currently holds the edge, NFL contracts are based on future potential rather than past achievements. This raises a key question: Is Smith truly worth nearly $40 million more than Becton over the next four years? The likely answer is no.
Becton’s Time With Jets Defined by Injuries
Becton has experienced one of the most impressive career comebacks in recent years.
Drafted 11th overall by the Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft, he was a full-time starter as a rookie but saw limited action over the next two seasons, appearing in just one game due to knee injuries. He returned in 2023 and played 16 games, though his performance drew criticism, prompting the Jets to decline his fifth-year option. This decision paved the way for his move to the Eagles, where he was welcomed by general manager Howie Roseman.
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