Mekhi Becton’s NFL career has taken another unexpected turn, with the former Philadelphia Eagles starting offensive lineman and Super Bowl champion now heading to the Green Bay Packers. Becton worked out for Green Bay on Monday and quickly turned that opportunity into a contract, giving the veteran offensive lineman another chance to revive his career after a difficult 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The signing is particularly notable for Philadelphia because Becton’s career received a major boost during his lone season with the Eagles. After arriving in Philadelphia on a one-year prove-it contract in 2024, Becton made the unusual transition from offensive tackle to guard. The move worked extremely well, as he became an important starter for an Eagles team that ultimately won Super Bowl LIX.
That successful season significantly changed Becton’s career trajectory. Once viewed as a player whose NFL future was becoming increasingly uncertain, Becton suddenly became an attractive free agent. His performance with Philadelphia helped him secure a two-year, $20 million contract with the Chargers, giving him a substantial financial reward after rebuilding his reputation in Philadelphia.
Packers Move Quickly After Becton Workout
Green Bay’s decision to bring Becton in comes at a time when the Packers are looking for additional help along their offensive line. The team had already added veteran Laken Tomlinson, but injuries and inconsistent play have created enough concern for Green Bay to continue examining experienced options.
Becton’s workout apparently went well enough for the Packers to move quickly. NFL insiders Jordan Schultz, Jeremy Fowler and Mike Garafolo all reported the signing, with Schultz noting that the Pittsburgh Steelers had also shown interest in the veteran lineman before Becton chose the Packers’ opportunity.
For Green Bay, the appeal is understandable. Becton brings considerable NFL experience, positional versatility and the potential to provide depth or competition at guard. The Packers do not necessarily need him to immediately recreate what he accomplished in Philadelphia, but adding an experienced player gives them another option as they attempt to stabilize their offensive line.
Philadelphia Helped Revive Becton’s Career
Becton’s journey to Green Bay is closely connected to Philadelphia.
The New York Jets selected him 11th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft after an impressive college career at Louisville. Expectations were extremely high because of his rare combination of size and athletic ability, but injuries severely disrupted his early NFL career.
Becton appeared in 14 games as a rookie, but his availability became a major problem afterward. He played only one game across the 2021 and 2022 seasons before returning in 2023 and appearing in all 16 games. Even after returning to the field, however, questions remained about whether he could live up to his status as a former top-15 selection.
Philadelphia gave him an opportunity to change that narrative.
The Eagles signed Becton to a one-year contract in 2024 and moved him inside to guard. Instead of forcing him to return to his original position at tackle, Philadelphia found a role that better suited the circumstances and allowed him to become an important part of the offensive line.
Becton started 15 games during the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning campaign, helping protect the offense and contribute to one of the league’s most successful teams. His performance was enough to convince the Chargers to invest heavily in him the following offseason.
Chargers Contract Failed to Produce the Same Results
Unfortunately for Becton, his time with the Chargers did not produce a repeat of his Philadelphia success.
Los Angeles signed him to a two-year, $20 million contract after his strong 2024 season. But Becton’s performance declined considerably in 2025, and the Chargers eventually released him during the following offseason.
According to PFF’s 2025 grading, Becton recorded a 35.7 overall grade, ranking 79th among 81 qualified guards. His 45.1 pass-blocking grade ranked 72nd, while his 34.3 run-blocking grade ranked last among those 81 qualified guards. He played 734 offensive snaps, allowed 37 pressures and surrendered three sacks.
Those numbers help explain why Becton remained available for much of the 2026 offseason despite his previous success in Philadelphia.
Still, his history suggests that teams are willing to take a chance on him because of the upside he demonstrated with the Eagles.
Why Green Bay Could Be a Fresh Start
The Packers’ offensive-line situation gives Becton another opportunity to reset his career.
Green Bay has already experienced issues along the line through the opening weeks of the 2026 season. The organization previously added Tomlinson, but another veteran addition gives the coaching staff greater flexibility when dealing with injuries, performance problems and lineup changes.
Becton can potentially compete for playing time while providing insurance if the Packers lose another starter. His ability to play multiple positions is also valuable because offensive-line depth can change rapidly during an NFL season.
The Packers were reportedly urged to pursue Becton even before the eventual signing because of the team’s need for additional offensive-line help. One proposal had Tomlinson playing left guard while Becton could potentially compete on the right side.
That does not guarantee Becton will immediately become a starter, but it gives him an opportunity to earn his role rather than simply being signed as a long-term insurance piece.
Eagles Have Already Moved Forward
Becton’s departure from Philadelphia is also important because the Eagles had already moved in a different direction along the offensive line.
Throughout the 2026 offseason, there were repeated questions about whether Philadelphia should reunite with Becton. Several analysts and Eagles-focused outlets argued that his familiarity with the organization and previous success in Philadelphia made him a logical candidate.
There was also evidence pointing in the opposite direction. Reports indicated that the Eagles were not particularly interested in bringing Becton back, while other reporting suggested Philadelphia already had a plan for the right guard position entering 2026.
That decision became more understandable as the offseason progressed.
Becton himself had publicly indicated that he would welcome a return. In an interaction with an Eagles fan, he was asked when he was coming back to Philadelphia and responded, “Tell them to call me, man.” The interaction was filmed in July, although it circulated more widely in September.
Despite the interest from some Eagles fans and analysts, Philadelphia ultimately did not make that reunion happen.
A New Chapter After an Unusual Career
Becton’s move to Green Bay represents another chapter in a career that has already gone through several dramatic changes.
He entered the league as a highly drafted tackle with the Jets, struggled with injuries, returned to become a full-time starter in 2023, joined Philadelphia as a one-year reclamation project, changed positions, won a Super Bowl and then secured a $20 million contract with the Chargers.
Two years after helping the Eagles win the championship, he is now trying to rebuild his reputation once again with the Packers.
The Packers are not simply acquiring the same player Philadelphia had in 2024. Becton’s disappointing 2025 season means there are legitimate questions about his current level of play. At the same time, his previous success provides evidence that he can be an effective NFL offensive lineman when healthy and properly utilized.
For Becton, the immediate objective will be to prove that his Philadelphia season was not an isolated peak. For Green Bay, the hope is that its new veteran addition can provide meaningful depth and potentially stabilize a position group that has experienced problems early in the season.
The signing therefore carries significance for both sides. Becton receives another opportunity to resurrect his career, while the Packers add a former first-round pick and Super Bowl champion who has already demonstrated that he can make a successful position transition at the NFL level.
For Eagles fans, meanwhile, Becton’s arrival in Green Bay closes another chapter in the story of a player who became an important part of Philadelphia’s championship run before eventually moving on.
His next opportunity will now come in Green Bay, where he will attempt to turn another late-career opportunity into the kind of comeback that first became possible during his memorable 2024 season with Philadelphia.
Key takeaway: Becton is joining Green Bay after his 2026 free-agent wait, following a workout with the Packers. His career has gone from former No. 11 overall pick, to injury struggles, to an important guard on Philadelphia’s Super Bowl team, to a $20 million Chargers contract, and now to another chance to re-establish himself in Green Bay.
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