The Los Angeles Chargers' season came to an early end with a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card Round-a tough pill for a team that had higher aspirations. Now, with the focus shifting to the offseason, all eyes are on how the front office plans to reshape a roster that underperformed in key areas. One name drawing attention: Mekhi Becton.
Word out of the East-West Shrine Bowl is that Becton’s time in L.A. might be coming to a close. According to reports, the Chargers are leaning toward cutting ties with the 26-year-old guard after just one season in powder blue.
The reason? Underwhelming performance across the board.
It’s a surprising turn considering where Becton was just a year ago. After a turbulent start to his NFL career, he appeared to find his footing during a one-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. That season ended with a Super Bowl ring and a two-year, $20 million deal from the Chargers-seemingly a fresh start and a chance to anchor an offensive line that desperately needed stability.
But things didn’t go as planned. Becton started 15 games this season, yet his play raised more questions than it answered.
Both his run-blocking and pass protection were major issues, and league evaluators reportedly ranked him among the lowest-performing guards this year. For a team that already struggled to keep its quarterback upright, that’s a glaring problem.
The Chargers' offensive line was hit hard by injuries, particularly at the tackle spots, forcing backups into action for much of the season. And while Justin Herbert still flashed his elite arm talent, the constant pressure clearly impacted the offense’s rhythm and efficiency. In that context, Becton’s struggles became even more magnified.
The Chargers structured Becton’s deal with flexibility, and they now have the option to move on without much financial penalty. With reports suggesting that’s the likely outcome, it signals a broader shift in how the team may approach roster construction this offseason.
L.A. heads into free agency with roughly $85.9 million in cap space-one of the largest war chests in the league. That gives them plenty of room to retool, and the offensive line figures to be a top priority. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, expect the Chargers to be aggressive in finding better protection for Herbert.
As for Becton, his future remains uncertain. He’s shown flashes of the talent that made him a first-round pick, but consistency-and durability-have always been the question marks. If the Chargers do indeed cut ties, he’ll be back on the open market, looking for another shot to prove he belongs.
For the Chargers, it’s a critical offseason. The window for contention remains open with Herbert under center, but only if the pieces around him can hold up. And that starts in the trenches.