The LA Chargers made their most expensive signing late on Friday night by signing Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Mekhi Becton to a two-year, $20 million deal. Up until that point, the Chargers had not made any additions to the offensive line and with names flying off the market, fans were starting to get worried.
Becton is a much-needed addition to an interior offensive line that struggled last season. The former first-round tackle was one of the best run defenders in the sport last season and is more than serviceable in pass pro. He is a sizeable upgrade over what the Chargers previously had.
Becton projects to replace Trey Pipkins, who didn't have as much success transitioning from tackle to guard, as the team's starting right guard. In theory, that creates a painfully obvious move for the Chargers to make, but based on how the offseason has gone, it may not actually happen.
Cutting Trey Pipkins is obvious after Mekhi Becton signing, but the Chargers may not do it
On paper, Pipkins is the perfect cut candidate for the Chargers this offseason. Pipkins is set to make $9.25 million in the last year of his deal in 2025, which is a lot for someone who will now serve as a swing tackle for the Bolts.
The Chargers can cut Pipkins with just a $2.5 million dead-cap hit, freeing up $6.75 million in cap space in the process. For a team that has operated like it has minmal cap space this offseason, that extra cap space could be important.
Plus, the Chargers could theoretically sign a backup swing tackle for much cheaper than Pipkins. That option likely wouldn't have as much starting experience, but the hope is that the Chargers don't even have to use the swing tackle in 2025.
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While the Chargers would likely agree that $9.25 million is a lot to spend on a backup (the team didn't want to spend that on Poona Ford), the fact of the matter is that Jim Harbaugh values the offensive line above all else.
Swing tackles with legitimate starting experience and positional versatility don't grow on trees. While Pipkins may not be the most impressive tackle or guard, he has the experience to hold his own in short bursts if the Chargers need him to be a spot-starter in case of injury.
With Zion Johnson and Joe Alt on rookie deals the Chargers have the extra cap space to devote to who will serve as the team's sixth offensive lineman. It may be unorthodox, but it goes hand-in-hand with how Harbaugh values offensive linemen.
Plus, if the Chargers were going to cut Pipkins they probably would have done it by now. The fact he has lasted this long is pretty revealing about his 2025 status.