N/S Chargers signed Guard Mekhi Becton to a 2-year, $20 million deal (23 Viewers)

[Madmarsha]

So I was talking about this guy to my husband last night and he mistakenly thought that we had gotten him instead of just that many here WANTED him and was asking all kinds of questions.


Now he's gonna be disappointed.

 

[livefromDC]

Good, there’s equivalent starting Guard talent on day 2 of the draft for $8 million cheaper on rookie salary. It probably didn’t make sense to pile up another large OL cap hit so soon.

I would’ve hate to see the Saints give Becton a big contract out of desperation to fill a need because of one season playing on a great Eagles O-Line. He would’ve been a complete unknown at Left Guard.

I disagree wholeheartedly. Filling a need is the sole purpose of free agency. Accumulatingthe best players possible sans any qualifiers is role of the draft. He's not a complete unknown at left guard. He's literally played guard in the NFL. He also would've been between the best LT in last year's draft and perhaps the best Center in the NFL. Not exactly the same position as he was in with the Eagles, but not too far off.

What is more, the lunacy that thinking you can just go into the draft and pick up what you need like it's Rouses needs to absolutely die. We KNOW this isn't true. The Saints have seen it first hand with Ruiz and Penning. Sure perhaps now they are capable starters, but you're talking about drafting a rookie high and hoping it works out...once again! Let's not even discuss the collateral damage of missing out on the BPA because you're focused on reaching for a guard with your 2nd round pick.

I'm not saying Becton is the answer, but the Saints absolutely, positively should try to sign a starting guard before the draft.

 

[SAINTSFAN]

Good, there’s equivalent starting Guard talent on day 2 of the draft for $8 million cheaper on rookie salary. It probably didn’t make sense to pile up another large OL cap hit so soon.

I would’ve hate to see the Saints give Becton a big contract out of desperation to fill a need because of one season playing on a great Eagles O-Line. He would’ve been a complete unknown at Left Guard.

This article is reporting it was 2 years/$20 million. If that is the case, I would have taken that risk at his age.

Eagles 2026 compensatory draft pick tracker

The Philadelphia Eagles are likely going to lose a lot of good players in free agency this offseason to other teams around the NFL. However, one of the silver linings is that they will receive a maximum of four compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft for the players they lose, minus the players...

www.phillyvoice.com

 

[RaisingTheBar]

This article is reporting it was 2 years/$20 million. If that is the case, I would have taken that risk at his age.

Eagles 2026 compensatory draft pick tracker

The Philadelphia Eagles are likely going to lose a lot of good players in free agency this offseason to other teams around the NFL. However, one of the silver linings is that they will receive a maximum of four compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft for the players they lose, minus the players...

www.phillyvoice.com

I’m surprised we didn’t pay him the 10mil per.

 

[MikeyF]

I disagree wholeheartedly. Filling a need is the sole purpose of free agency. Accumulatingthe best players possible sans any qualifiers is role of the draft. He's not a complete unknown at left guard. He's literally played guard in the NFL. He also would've been between the best LT in last year's draft and perhaps the best Center in the NFL. Not exactly the same position as he was in with the Eagles, but not too far off.

What is more, the lunacy that thinking you can just go into the draft and pick up what you need like it's Rouses needs to absolutely die. We KNOW this isn't true. The Saints have seen it first hand with Ruiz and Penning. Sure perhaps now they are capable starters, but you're talking about drafting a rookie high and hoping it works out...once again! Let's not even discuss the collateral damage of missing out on the BPA because you're focused on reaching for a guard with your 2nd round pick.

I'm not saying Becton is the answer, but the Saints absolutely, positively should try to sign a starting guard before the draft.

Excellent Post!

 

[SaintStephen1]

Brandon Scherff was terrible for the Jags this past year.

 

[MikeyF]

Jedrick Wills Jr. is a UFA that we might be able to sign to a low rate 1 year prove it deal & move him to OG like Philly did with Becton last year...

Top Remaining Free Agent Targets For The Saints

I've seen a lot of stuff about interest in Jenkins but it's been dead quiet about Becton. Wonder if his Super Bowl injury is a hold up. They're also at a weird level in pay where they won't command to dollar but not bottom dollar either and it's a big range to try and negotiate in.I’d be just...

saintsreport.com

 

[texasjefe]

Without knowing whether the Saints were interested in Becton, offered or were taken seriously, and with the money not the result of a bidding war —

I usually default to these assumptions about agent and player.

Becton wanted to play for Harbaugh and with Justin Herbert, as that may be a rising team.

and…

Some here steadfastly think the Saints’ cap is a non-issue, but it’s easy for agents to tell their players things like … “we like Kellen Moore but the team’s cap is unstable and they appear headed for a QB transition in the seasons you would be signing for. Let’s go with Harbaugh, Justin, and California.”

By the way, the Chargers have $60M in a cap space, a young team, Najee Harris, and they just spent only $11M to chop off Joey Bosa, and not take on a new contract for the popular vet. Their dead cap is $16M in 2025.

Cap Health matters to agents, a lot.

 

[MikeyF]

Without knowing whether the Saints were interested in Becton, offered or were taken seriously, and with the money not the result of a bidding war —

I usually default to these assumptions about agent and player.

Becton wanted to play for Harbaugh and with Justin Herbert, as that may be a rising team.

and…

Some here steadfastly think the Saints’ cap is a non-issue, but it’s easy for agents to tell their players things like … “we like Kellen Moore but the team’s cap is unstable and they appear headed for a QB transition in the seasons you would be signing for. Let’s go with Harbaugh, Justin, and California.”

By the way, the Chargers have $60M in a cap space, a young team, Najee Harris, and they just spent only $11M to chop off Joey Bosa, and not take on a new contract for the popular vet. Their dead cap is $16M in 2025.

Cap Health matters to agents, a lot.

& he possibly didn't want to move to LG...

The Chargers have him listed as an OT not G.
That could be another reason he signed with them.

 

[Mamba]

& he possibly didn't want to move to LG...

The Chargers have him listed as an OT not G.
That could be another reason he signed with them.

The Chargers have Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Becton is sliding inside at Guard.

 

[livefromDC]

Without knowing whether the Saints were interested in Becton, offered or were taken seriously, and with the money not the result of a bidding war —

I usually default to these assumptions about agent and player.

Becton wanted to play for Harbaugh and with Justin Herbert, as that may be a rising team.

and…

Some here steadfastly think the Saints’ cap is a non-issue, but it’s easy for agents to tell their players things like … “we like Kellen Moore but the team’s cap is unstable and they appear headed for a QB transition in the seasons you would be signing for. Let’s go with Harbaugh, Justin, and California.”

By the way, the Chargers have $60M in a cap space, a young team, Najee Harris, and they just spent only $11M to chop off Joey Bosa, and not take on a new contract for the popular vet. Their dead cap is $16M in 2025.

Cap Health matters to agents, a lot.

This is made up speculation.

& he possibly didn't want to move to LG...

The Chargers have him listed as an OT not G.
That could be another reason he signed with them.

This makes logical sense.

 

[SAINTSFAN]

& he possibly didn't want to move to LG...

The Chargers have him listed as an OT not G.
That could be another reason he signed with them.

I read that he plans to stay at OG with the Chargers.

 

[Jesse Custer]

That's fine, I prefer Jenkins. Bit of a mean streak, has played LG for multiple seasons, and sometimes the only bright spot on the Bears OL. And he'd probably be cheaper because no Ring Tax.

 

[MikeyF]

He is more than likely going to be their RG playing along side Alt even though they listed him as an OT but he is staying at RG not being moved to LG.

What Guard Mekhi Becton Brings to the Chargers Offense

 

[Stalwart385]

Hard to imagine we wouldn't offer him 10mil per if we were serious. Guessing he chose the Chargers.