Mekhi Becton's Journey with the Eagles: Embracing New Roles and Overcoming Challenges
In a move that surprised many in the NFL, Mekhi Becton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in May, leaving behind a tumultuous tenure with the New York Jets. At the Jets, Becton struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, but the Philadelphia Eagles saw potential and moved to secure his services. The Eagles made it clear Becton was brought in to offer depth at offensive tackle, serving as a backup for Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. However, the versatile lineman was quickly redirected to fill a critical need at guard, where he has since been making waves.
Adapting to Interior Line Duties
Initially slotted as a tackle, Becton was soon asked to step in as a guard during the Eagles' mandatory minicamp. This switch was necessitated by Landon Dickerson's absence for personal reasons, followed by a lacerated toe that sidelined him. Becton quickly stepped in to fill the gap at left guard, leveraging his impressive arm length and physical prowess to adapt to the new position. Despite having spent most of his career at tackle, Becton appeared unfazed by the transition. "It's an adjustment, but it's not a hard adjustment. I can do it," he stated confidently.
Becton’s move to guard has opened up competition within the Eagles' roster. He has been vying to challenge rookie Tyler Steen for the starting right guard position in training camp, although he has yet to play a down at right guard. The Eagles, however, have faith in Becton's versatility and are giving him the first call to fill any immediate void at the guard position.
Learning on the Fly
Despite his relative inexperience at guard, Becton has embraced the learning curve. "I just learn from everybody all day every day. It's a fun thing to do," he remarked. His focus and openness to learning have not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, who are closely monitoring his progress as training camp intensifies.
Transitioning from tackle to guard involves not just physical adjustments but also a shift in the mental approach to the game. Becton explained, "Guard, it happens way faster. You don't have time to say, you just gotta settle with what you gotta settle with. Your feet don't have time to set up what you gotta set up. It's real faster. It's right away. Your hands gotta be ready to fire right away." This rapid pace contrasts sharply with the relative deliberation allowed at the tackle position. "At tackle, you got a little bit of time to see what [the defense] is doing. You have time to figure out if you're in the right spot or not," he added.
Focusing on Readiness and Adaptability
Throughout this process, Becton has maintained a positive and prepared mindset. "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," he stressed. This readiness and willingness to step into various roles as needed makes him a valuable asset to the Eagles' offensive line. "If I can start, I'll start. If I don't, I'll be ready," he said, underscoring his team-first approach.
Becton’s physical attributes, particularly his arm length, offer distinct advantages against typical defensive tackles. "I feel like I don't really know the disadvantages yet, but the advantages would be my arm length compared to defensive tackles and stuff like that," he noted. This natural gift, combined with his burgeoning skill set at guard, could prove to be a game-changer for the Eagles as they navigate through training camp and the upcoming preseason.
The Road Ahead
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining Becton's role with the team. Preseason games and training camp will provide testing grounds for his ability to adjust and perform under pressure. "I don't know what I'm gonna be when I come in here. Once I step on the field, I know I gotta be ready for whatever," Becton asserted, indicating his flexible mindset.
The Eagles are betting on Becton's adaptability and potential to strengthen their offensive line, as they look to build on a roster capable of challenging for top honors in the coming season. Whether as a starter or a key backup, Mekhi Becton’s performance will be closely watched, not just by the Eagles' coaching staff but by fans and analysts eager to see how this high-stakes experiment unfolds.