Veteran guard Mekhi Becton (73), who is expected to be released, appeared in 15 games last season for the Los Angeles Chargers. File Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI | License Photo
The Los Angeles Chargers plan to release right guard Mekhi Becton, a league source told UPI on Wednesday.
Becton’s release will save the Chargers $9.7 million in salary cap space. The Chargers signed the 6-foot-7, 363-pound offensive lineman to a two-year, $20 million contract last off-season. He appeared in 15 games, with 14 starts, in 2025.
Becton, the No. 11 overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft, struggled with injuries throughout his first six years in the league. He was limited to one game in 2021 and missed the entire 2022 campaign with right knee issues.
Becton signed a one-year, $2.72 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. He started 15 regular-season games and four playoff games for those Eagles en route to a Super Bowl title.
Pro Football Focus gave Becton an offensive rating of 60 out of 61 guards who were in for at least 50% of the maximum snaps played at the position in 2025. He rated as the worst run blocker and fifth-worst pass blocker among qualifying guards.
Becton rated as the 15th-best guard in 2024. He rated as the 52nd-best tackle in 2023, his last season with the Jets.
The former Louisville offensive lineman appeared in 61 games, with 59 starts, since 2020. Becton was due a $2.5 million roster bonus on March 13. He was set to receive an additional $1 million bonus two days later.
The Chargers will need to make several additions to rebuild the interior of their offensive line this off-season. Center Bradley Bozeman, who started 16 games last season and 17 in 2024, announced his retirement last month.
Left guard Zion Johnson, who appeared in 17 games last season, and fellow offensive linemen Trey Pipkins and Bobby Hart, who appeared in 13 and 10 games, respectively, for the Chargers are all free agents.
Tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, who missed extended time last season due to injuries, are set to return as anchors of the offensive line in 2026.
The Chargers own the No. 21 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a selection they could use to address the interior of their offensive line. They have five total selections in the draft, which will be held April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh.
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