Mekhi Becton’s Injury Frustrations Resurface in L.A. - And Jets Fans Can’t Help But Say ‘Told You So’
Mekhi Becton’s time in Los Angeles is starting to feel like déjà vu - and not in a good way. The former first-round pick is once again at the center of a familiar storm, voicing frustration with how a coaching staff is handling his injuries. This time, it’s the Chargers in the crosshairs.
In a recent interview, Becton didn’t mince words about his dissatisfaction with how the Chargers are managing his health. He said he’s “very frustrated” and added a pointed comment that he hopes to stay on the field “if I’m allowed.”
That last part? It’s not just frustration - it’s a shot across the bow at his coaches, and it echoes the same grievances he aired during his time with the New York Jets.
Becton has started 10 games for the Chargers this season, but he’s only been on the field for 69% of their offensive snaps. That’s not due to performance-based benchings - it’s injury-related.
He’s missed entire series, sometimes entire games, but insists he doesn’t know why he’s being held out. “That’s an upstairs question,” he said.
The implication is clear: he feels sidelined by decisions being made above him, not by his own body.
For Chargers fans, this might feel like a surprising twist in what was supposed to be a fresh start for the 6-foot-7 lineman. But for Jets fans? It’s all too familiar.
Back in 2023, Becton publicly blamed the Jets’ coaching staff for mishandling his recovery from a knee injury. He claimed that being moved to right tackle - a position switch he said made “no sense” - compromised his health and set him back. That chapter ended with Becton leaving New York amid questions about his durability and accountability.
Then came 2024, when Becton joined a loaded Eagles offensive line, stayed healthy, and helped Philly win a Super Bowl. It looked like redemption.
He was surrounded by All-Pro talent and coached by Jeff Stoutland, one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the league. That environment seemed to bring out the best in him - or at least keep the worst at bay.
But now, just a year later, he’s back in the same cycle: frustrated, banged up, and struggling to produce. And the numbers tell the story.
Becton’s Pro Football Focus grade sits at 40.5 - 79th out of 81 qualified guards. His run-block win rate?
A brutal 62.7%, second-worst in the league. These aren’t just bad numbers - they’re bottom-of-the-barrel, and they paint a picture of a player who’s not only struggling physically but failing to meet expectations in a big way.
The Chargers signed Becton to a two-year, $20 million deal this past offseason, hoping they were getting the version of him that showed up in Philadelphia. Instead, they’ve been met with inconsistency, injuries, and public criticism of the coaching staff. It’s the kind of situation that rarely ends well - and it’s looking more and more like this could be a one-and-done stint in L.A.
As for what’s next? That’s murky.
Becton’s market value has taken a hit. Teams will see the injury history, the declining play, and now, the recurring off-field drama.
Fair or not, that pattern is hard to ignore - especially when it’s played out in multiple locker rooms.
Meanwhile, the Jets have turned the page. Their young tackle duo of Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou is giving them reason to feel optimistic about the future. And for fans in New York, watching Becton’s struggles from afar only reinforces the belief that they moved on at the right time.
There’s still talent in Mekhi Becton - you don’t start 10 games in this league without it. But the clock is ticking.
If he wants to rewrite the narrative again, it’s going to take more than just staying healthy. It’s going to take consistency, accountability, and a willingness to work through adversity without pointing fingers.
Because right now, the story feels all too familiar. And for those who’ve seen it before, it’s tough not to say: here we go again.