The Philadelphia Eagles enter Thanksgiving weekend with the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL. While running back Saquan Barkley has been transcendent, it all starts up front with a group that is healthy and individually among the best in the league at their respective positions.
One of Philly’s most consistent players who’s flown a bit under the radar this season is a former No. 11 overall pick who signed with the team this offseason on a dirt-cheap, $2.7 million contract.
That player, right guard Mekhi Becton, is expected to get paid in free agency as the former tackle coming out of Louisville has found his calling as an interior lineman. Kris Knox of Bleacher Report believes that payday could come outside of Philly.
In his NFC scouting reports for Week 13, Knox predicted that the rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars will make signing Becton a priority as they look to retool their offensive line for franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Here was Knox’s take on Becton potentially landing in Duval County:
“Mekhi Becton has resurrected his career in Philadelphia. Working with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, moving to guard and staying healthy have likely earned him a bigger contract in free agency. The Jaguars should be in the bidding. He would fill in a need, and there’s still an outside shot he could move back out to tackle.”
The Eagles have already invested heavily in their offensive line, locking up left tackle Jordan Mailata this year. They have Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson both signed beyond 2027, and a rising star in center Cam Jurgens still on his rookie contract.
That leaves right guard as the outlier. Philly has a capable player in Tyler Steen who could be ready to take over in 2025, but the marriage between Becton and this Eagles team points toward an extended stay in the 215.
After his team’s dominant win on Sunday Night Football over the Los Angeles Rams, Becton tweeted: “Man playing football is actually fun again!! Love this team.”
Football wasn’t so much fun with the dumpster fire franchise that drafted him — the New York Jets — and it probably won’t be in Jacksonville as the Jaguars likely bring in a new regime, pick near the top of the draft, and start over in 2025.
Becton is among Philly’s pending free agents who has earned himself an extension, and it’s likely that both sides will be interested in exploring that option in the offseason.
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