What Surprised Jeff Stoutland Most About Mekhi Becton originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
There was a point in his career — and not that long ago — when Mekhi Becton would have resisted a move to guard.
“Yes,” says Becton now. “There was.”
Heck, the former first-round pick didn’t even want to switch from left tackle to right tackle during his Jets career. So when Jeff Stoutland recently approached the 25-year-old forward and asked him to do some guard play at OTAs… no one really knew how he would respond.
But things have changed for Becton. The team that drafted him 11th overall passed on him. His contract decreased. His future was uncertain.
These things have a way of changing someone’s perspective.
“Mekhi did a great job of saying yes,” Jordan Mailata said. “He didn’t question it, he never said, ‘I never did that.’ He actually took advantage of the opportunity to learn how to play guard, and you know, when I see things like that from Mekhi, it just makes me want to play alongside him if 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’s quickly emerged as a potentially valuable piece along the offensive line. When Lane Johnson missed a few days of minicamp, Becton took first-team reps at right tackle. And with Landon Dickerson out of mandatory camp with an excused absence, it was Becton who got first-team reps at left guard.
“Really impressed with his football IQ, his intelligence and his versatility,” Stoutland said. “I didn’t know he was capable of playing in other positions. So that in itself is (important), just having that swing value and the desire to want to do it.
“He’s a fun guy to coach. He loves football.”
Why was Becton so willing to try a new position?
“I mean, when you already have two tackles like Jordan and Lane,” he began and didn’t need to finish the thought.
With Sua Opeta and Jack Driscoll leaving via free agency, the Eagles were fairly thin along the interior offensive line heading into spring practice. Matt Hennessy is here, but if Becton is the one getting starting reps at a brand new position, that says a lot about the offline pecking order.
“Coach Stout and the way he treats his players and talks to them, you’ll do anything for him,” Becton said. “So when he came to me with this opportunity, I was always open to it. I like trying new things anyway.”
After a promising rookie year, Becton was limited to one game in 2021 and 2022 due to knee injuries. He bounced back last year 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 still June, but so far so good.
“Yeah, he probably had one of the best offseasons here,” Johnson said. “Just a big, strong, powerful guy. I think he’s going to help us a lot this year, whether he’s playing tackle or guard, but a guy that big that can move that well, we definitely need him out there.”
Along with Kenny Pickett, Saquon Barkley, John Ross and Devin White, Becton is one of five former veteran first-round picks Howie Roseman acquired this offseason.
Even if Becton can give the Eagles reliable support at multiple positions, this will be a good hire. But maybe he can be more. If Tyler Steen struggles at right guard, it’s not so unlikely that Becton can hit there. It’s also not a stretch for the Eagles to view Becton as a viable long-term piece on the offensive line.
He only signed this year for a modest $2.75 million, but perhaps a change of scenery and a healthy dose of Stoutland U. was what he needed to jumpstart his career.
“Yes, I would love for it to be long term,” he said. “I’m definitely looking forward to it. I want it to be long term. I love the city of Philadelphia, I love the people here, I love the fans. Like, it’s great. I hope it’s long term.”
