Mekhi Becton once represented the Los Angeles Chargers' premier signing of the offseason. After a successful resurgence with the Philadelphia Eagles, he was meant to help ease some of the woes of their interior offensive line.
Instead, this has been a rough, injury-riddled season for both him and the team's offensive line as a whole.
Becton, in an interview with ESPN, detailed just how frustrating this season has been for him. Specifically, he noted how the coaching staff has handled his injuries, pulling him out of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars without explanation, as a major cause of his ire.
More recently, he was rotated in and out with trade deadline acquisition Trevor Penning in their matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. While head coach Jim Harbaugh initially claimed injury-related reasons, offensive coordinator Greg Roman gave a confusingly different explanation:
Greg Roman on why Penning was rotating in at RG: "Just trying to get him some experience there."
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 18, 2025
So it was not injury related for Becton? "No," Roman said.
When informed that Harbaugh said it was injury related, Romans said, "You know what? It might have been." https://t.co/SsOtSp37SR
From an outside standpoint, it is truly impossible to know what the issue was or is. Yet it's clear that Becton's frustrating tenure with the Chargers may be coming to a head.
Mekhi Becton's Los Angeles tenure has been nothing short of disappointing for both parties
Becton, after three healthy seasons at tackle with the New York Jets, made the move to the inside when he signed with the Eagles. On one of the most dominant offensive lines in recent memory, his career was resurrected.
Nevertheless, with the loss of both of the Chargers' star tackles this season, Becton has struggled even on the interior. According to Pro Football Focus, Becton has the 76th-worst overall metrics out of the 78 guards that have seen extensive snaps in the NFL this year.
He has also dealt with a number of injuries that have limited both his availability and his effectiveness.
Whether or not his rotation with Penning was truly injury-related, this latest development must represent even more cause for frustration on Becton's end.
While Becton is on a two-year, $20 million contract, he would represent just $2.5 million in dead cap if he and the team were to agree on a buy-out or a release this offseason. For reference, the Chargers are currently set to have $110 million in cap space.
As frustrating as it might be, the Chargers need to overhaul the interior of their offensive line yet again. With the continued confusion surrounding Becton's role and availability, all signs remain pointed in the direction of his departure.