Of all of the disappointments the Los Angeles Chargers suffered in 2025, perhaps none was more painful than the Mekhi Becton signing.
After a career-resurrecting year on the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line, the Chargers inked Becton to a two-year $20 million deal to fill their starting right guard slot. Becton was meant to be the team's premier free agent— a player who could help solidify Justin Herbert's protection.
Of course the shortcomings of the offensive line last season weren't entirely Becton's fault. But he certainly had a part to play, struggling with injuries and remaining highly inconsistent in both pass and run protection. The Chargers ultimately released him this offseason, and Becton is now a free agent again.
Hopefully Becton will find his way into a more positive situation and continue the upward trajectory he found with Philadelphia. But if ESPN's current 2026 free agency rankings are any indication, Becton's career might be in trouble this offseason.
The guard market is quickly drying up, and Mekhi Becton is left in a dire position
For anyone following the frustrating start to the free agency the Chargers have had, the rate at which the top guards on the market were swallowed up is already a well-documented fact. The top three guards on the market were gone almost in an instant. David Edwards signed with the New Orleans Saints, Zion Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Isaac Seumalo signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
In a relatively shallow class at the position, teams in need of guards were eager to get out ahead of any potential bidding war for these players. But even with these pieces, and players like Alijah Vera-Tucker and even Cole Strange, taken off the market, Becton still sits as the 29th-best player available on ESPN's free agency rankings. There are six guards that remain in front of him.
There are certainly still teams in need of interior offensive lineman. But will there be a starting spot available for Becton when all is said and done?
Not only do most of these players have a longer and more consistent resumé than Becton, but Becton's injury history could incline some of these teams toward slightly safer gambles. Becton was also released, meaning that the lack of interest in him so far is not even a result of the compensatory pick formula.
It's highly regrettable that Becton's time in Los Angeles has left him in this position, especially considering that he was a premier free agent coming out of Philadelphia.