Philadelphia Eagles Bolster Offensive Line with Mekhi Becton Signing
The Philadelphia Eagles have made a notable addition to their offensive line, signing Mekhi Becton. Initially brought in to serve as a swing tackle behind starters Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, Becton has quickly become a crucial asset, filling in where needed, even stepping up to the starting lineup when injuries struck.
Adjusting to a New Role
The Eagles faced an unexpected setback when Tyler Steen suffered an ankle injury, leaving a vacancy at the starting right guard position. Becton seized the opportunity to prove his versatility. During his first practice with the first team, he lined up as the right guard and managed to neutralize defensive tackle Jalen Carter in 11-on-11 drills, demonstrating his readiness and adaptability.
Head coach Nick Sirianni praised Becton for his performance, saying, "I'm looking forward to that. Mekhi has had a good camp so far and looking forward to getting him some work next to Lane [Johnson] and continuing to work forward with that."
Learning and Growing
Despite not participating in the initial days of training camp, Becton remained engaged and focused, using the time to absorb knowledge from his teammates. He stayed actively involved, offering guidance and feedback to his peers. His proactive approach did not go unnoticed.
"The first few days he wasn't practicing, but he was definitely in my ear the whole time and telling me what I was doing wrong. He's been a great help," Becton shared.
Landon Dickerson, who holds the position of left guard for the Eagles, also acknowledged Becton's contributions and flexibility. "I think Mekhi is doing great. He's had to bounce around a few positions. We had some guys get banged up. Nothing different than what happens during the season, right?"
A Valuable Asset
Becton's ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line significantly increases his value to the team. According to Dickerson, "We have a guy that can swing at both guard and tackle, can play both guard spots. That's a lot of value in the NFL. He's able to play four out of five positions."
Even with his primary role being on the second-team offensive line, Becton has shown that he is always ready to step up when called upon. "I know I'm not, like that wasn't the thing when they signed me here. I don't have to get ready. I just know when my number is called I'm always gonna be ready. If I can start, I'll start. If I don't, I'll be ready," Becton asserted, demonstrating his team-first mentality and readiness to contribute whenever needed.
Looking Ahead
As the Eagles continue their preparations for the coming season, the duration of Tyler Steen's absence remains undisclosed. In the meantime, Becton's presence offers a sense of security and flexibility to the coaching staff, knowing they have a versatile player who can seamlessly integrate into various positions on the line.
In summary, Mekhi Becton's signing has provided the Philadelphia Eagles with a dynamic and adaptable player capable of filling multiple roles effectively. His readiness to step in as the starting right guard, his proactive learning during initial camp days, and his proven ability in practice suggest that Becton will be a significant asset to the Eagles' offensive line moving forward.