What Surprised Jeff Stoutland Most About Mekhi Becton originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
There was a point in his career – and not so long ago – where Mekhi Becton would have resisted a move to guard.
“Yes,” Becton says now. “There was.”
Heck, the former first-round pick didn’t even want to move from left tackle to right tackle during his Jets career. So when Jeff Stoutland recently approached the 25-year-old lifelong tackle and asked him to take on some guard duty at OTAs…no one really knew how he would respond.
But things have changed for Becton. The team that drafted him 11th overall gave up on him. His contract expired. His future became uncertain.
Those things have a way of changing someone’s perspective.
“Mekhi did a great job of just saying yes,” Jordan Mailata said. “He never questioned him, he never said, ‘I’ve never done it.’ In fact, he embraced the opportunity to learn how to play guard, and you know, when I see stuff like that from Mekhi, it just makes me want to play next to him when his number is called.
“Because you want guys who are willing and able to put the team first before their own needs.”
Becton hasn’t been here long — the Eagles just signed him on April 28 — but he quickly emerged as a potentially valuable piece on the offensive line. When Lane Johnson missed a few days of minicamp, Becton took over first-team reps at right tackle. And with Landon Dickerson at mandatory camp with an excused absence, it was Becton who got the first-team reps at left guard.
“Really impressed with his football IQ, his intelligence and his versatility,” Stoutland said. “I didn’t know he could also play in other positions. So that in itself is (important), just having that swing value and the willingness to want to do it.
“He’s a fun guy to coach. He likes soccer.”
Why was Becton so willing to try a new job?
“I mean, when you already have two tackles like Jordan and Lane,” he started and didn’t have to finish his thought.
With Sua Opeta and Jack Driscoll leaving via free agency, the Eagles were quite thin along the interior offensive line as they entered spring training. Matt Hennessy is here, but if Becton is the one getting starting reps at a brand new position, that says a lot about the o-line’s pecking order.
“Coach Stout and the way he treats his players and the way he talks to them, you’re going to do anything for him,” Becton said. “So when he came to me with that opportunity, I was always open to it. I always enjoy trying new things.”
After a promising rookie year, Becton was limited to one game in 2021 and 2022 due to knee injuries. Last year he rebounded to start 16 games but fell out of favor with the Jets after committing 16 penalties and allowing 12 sacks at left tackle.
New team, new start, new everything. It’s only June, but so far so good.
“Yeah, he’s probably had one of the best seasons here,” Johnson said. “Just a big, strong, powerful guy. I think he’s going to help us a lot this year, whether he plays tackle or guard, but a big guy like that who can move so well, we definitely need him.”
Along with Kenny Pickett, Saquon Barkley, John Ross and Devin White, Becton is one of five veteran former first-round picks Howie Roseman acquired this offseason.
Even if Becton can give the Eagles a reliable backup at multiple positions, this will be a good addition. But maybe he can be more. If Tyler Steen struggles at right guard, it’s not too far-fetched that Becton could get a shot in there. It’s also not too far-fetched for the Eagles to see Becton as a viable part of the offensive line long-term.
He only signed this year for a very modest $2.75 million, but perhaps a change of scenery and a healthy dose of Stoutland U. is what he needed to jump-start his career.
“Yes, I would like it to be long-term,” he said. “I’m definitely looking forward to it. I want it to be for the longer term. I love the city of Philly, I love the people here, I love the fans. It is awesome. I hope it is for the longer term.”
