Almost nothing went the way the Los Angeles Chargers hoped in 2025.
Injuries to both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt capped the ceiling of their offense from the outset of the season, and the combined stagnancies of Greg Roman's scheme and the inconsistencies of the interior offensive line ultimately held them back from earning their first playoff win under Jim Harbaugh.
Of all the disappointments from 2025, though, it was perhaps the signing of Mekhi Becton that provided the most acute frustration.
Becton came to the Chargers after playing an integral part in the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl-caliber protection in 2024. It was a risky move, given the shift that Becton made from tackle to guard when he was with Philadelphia, but the upside was potentially immense.
Obviously, the move didn't pay off. Becton was released by the Chargers this offseason with one year remaining on his two-year, $20 million deal. As we approach training camp, he still remains unsigned on the open market. For most linemen at this point in the offseason, the best they can hope for is a depth role
But according to Titans writer Justin Melo, there could be an opening in Tennessee given their lack of true investment in their protection this offseason. Could Becton be their best option remaining on the market?
Mekhi Becton could be the best chance for the Titans to address their lingering weakness
There were very few inspiring moments for Becton in his 2025 campaign. He allowed 37 pressures and three sacks on just 444 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus, and he finished as the third-worst graded guard in PFF's system.
But injuries and the overall unfamiliarity with the Chargers' scheme likely played a role in his sub-par performance. If he earns another shot in 2026, there's always a chance for Becton to rebound.
Tennessee could provide that opportunity.
The Titans have not re-signed veteran guard Kevin Zeitler this offseason, who quite possibly might be facing retirement at this juncture. As of now, they are depending on sophomore guard Jackson Slater and free agent Cordell Volson to compete for the role. Slater, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Titans, saw the field in a very limited capacity last season. Volson, for his part, missed the entirety of last season with a right shoulder injury.
Neither player has offered truly inspiring play to this point in their NFL career.
If they want to gamble on Slater taking on the role, that's likely a viable move. But with the rest of the pieces they have in place around Cam Ward, Tennessee stands a chance to at least be interesting in the AFC South in 2026. If they enter training camp and neither Slater or Volson has truly impressed, they could look to bring in a veteran guard to shake up the competition.
One would imagine that, if they intended to re-sign Zeitler, they would have done so already. That makes Becton the most logical choice if the Titans need to add a right guard, and it could give the former Charger a late-offseason lifeline if things break the right way.
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