Mekhi Becton's Journey with the Philadelphia Eagles: Adjusting to New Roles and Overcoming Challenges
In a significant move this past May, Mekhi Becton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, bringing a fresh dynamic to their offensive line. Initially pegged to be a backup for prominent tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, Becton's journey with the Eagles has turned out to be both intriguing and complex.
Upon joining the Eagles, the coaching staff planned for Becton to take on the challenge of playing at guard. This transition aligned with the team's vision to bolster their interior line, particularly given Becton's notable issues with injuries and inconsistent play during his tenure with the New York Jets. Despite these past struggles, Becton has demonstrated adaptability, filling the gap at left guard during the Eagles' mandatory minicamp, especially in the absence of Landon Dickerson, who was sidelined due to personal reasons and a lacerated toe.
Adapting to an interior line position is no small feat, but Becton has proven willing to embrace the change. "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," Becton confidently stated. His readiness and flexible mindset have been evident throughout training camp.
During the camp, Becton has been vying for the starting right guard position, offering competition to Tyler Steen. However, it’s worth noting that Becton has yet to play right guard in a game setting. Nevertheless, he remains the primary choice to fill any immediate void at the guard position. His arm length gives him a unique advantage over typical defensive tackles, a trait Becton acknowledges could be beneficial once the season gets underway. "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," Becton observed optimistically.
The transition from tackle to guard comes with its own set of challenges, a fact not lost on the young player. "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," Becton explained, highlighting the rapid pace and immediacy required in the position compared to playing tackle. "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, illustrating the nuanced differences between the two roles.
Despite these challenges, Becton has shown resilience and a commitment to learning. "I just learn from everybody all day every day. It’s a fun thing to do," he said, embracing the continuous improvement environment fostered by the Eagles. This attitude is crucial as training camp and preseason games approach, where Becton's ability to adjust and perform under pressure will be tested thoroughly.
While Becton's primary goal is to secure a starting role, he remains pragmatic about his position on the team. "If I can start, I'll start. If I don’t, I’ll be ready," he stated, underscoring his readiness to contribute whenever called upon. His perspective is clear: "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."
As the Eagles' training camp progresses, all eyes will be on Mekhi Becton. His journey from being a tackle with a history of injuries to potentially becoming a key player on the Eagles' interior line is one filled with expectations and promise. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining his role and impact on the team. Whether as a starter or a reliable backup, Becton's dedication and adaptability could make all the difference for the Eagles' offensive line this season.