The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line, long a pillar of stability and dominance, hit an uncharacteristic rough patch in 2025 - and injuries were at the heart of it.
Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens gutted through the season while playing hurt, and the absence of Lane Johnson for the final eight games with a foot injury created a ripple effect across the entire front. Things didn’t get any easier in the playoffs, either - backup Brett Toth missed the postseason loss to the 49ers due to a concussion, further thinning an already depleted unit.
That kind of attrition up front led to some inconsistent - and at times, flat-out shaky - performances. And while the Eagles still boast talent across the line, depth became a glaring issue. Now, as free agency looms, a familiar name could be back on the radar: Mekhi Becton.
According to reports from the Shrine Bowl, the Los Angeles Chargers are expected to release Becton, who spent the 2025 season struggling mightily at right guard. After what looked like a career revival in 2024 with the Eagles - a season that ended with a Lombardi Trophy and Becton playing a pivotal role in the trenches - his year with the Chargers was anything but a continuation of that success.
Becton started 14 of 15 games for L.A., but his play never found a rhythm. His Pro Football Focus grade tells the story: a 35.3 overall mark, which ranked 79th out of 81 qualifying guards. Both his pass and run blocking regressed, and word from around the league is that the Chargers are ready to move on, opting out of the final year of his deal.
So the question becomes: should the Eagles consider bringing Becton back?
It’s a fair conversation to have. Becton’s 2024 stint in Philadelphia was a revelation - moving from left tackle to right guard and thriving in a new role, helping power the Eagles to a championship.
That version of Becton looked like a long-term solution. But the 2025 version?
That’s a player who struggled to stay consistent, stay engaged, and stay productive.
In his absence, Tyler Steen stepped into the right guard role and, after a slow start, really began to settle in. His PFF grades reflect that growth: a 71.6 overall, good for 17th among guards league-wide. He also posted a 74.0 pass-blocking grade (11th) and a 71.8 run-blocking grade (17th), showing he’s not just a stopgap - he might be a legitimate long-term answer.
That said, depth matters. Injuries happen.
And if Becton hits the open market at a reasonable price, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Howie Roseman at least explore the possibility. A reunion wouldn’t necessarily mean displacing Steen, but it could give the Eagles added insurance and flexibility along the line - something they were sorely lacking this past season.
Of course, any potential move hinges on Becton’s mindset and conditioning. The Eagles know what he can bring when he’s locked in.
But they also saw firsthand what it looks like when the line gets stretched thin. If the price is right, and the fit still makes sense, a second chapter in Philly could be worth considering.