The Philadelphia Eagles must be on cloud nine after dismantling the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. Once they finish celebrating, they'll go into full offseason and find ways to keep key free agents from leaving. Philly will find a way to keep a few of them but not all. One the Jacksonville Jacksonville Jaguars must pay close attention to is right guard Mekhi Becton, who could turn out to be an ideal replacement for incumbent Brandon Scherff.
A first-round selection in 2020 by the New York Jets, Becton flashed as a rookie but also dealt with a myriad of ailments that prevented him from hitting his stride. Expected to improve in his sophomore campaign, he instead suffered a season-ending injury in the opener. Things didn't get much better in 2022 when he dislocated his kneecap. It wasn't until 2023 that the former Louisville Cardinal played nearly a full season. Unfortunately, he wasn't that great, giving up 12 sacks and 50 pressures, which didn't help him get rid of the draft bust designation.
Becton then hit free agency in 2024 and signed a modest one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Eagles. Given that they were set at both offensive tackle spots, the coaching staff moved him to right guard. The switch paid off, as he went on to have a banner season.
At his new position, Becton gave up three sacks and 25 sacks. On top of that, his Pro Football Focus overall grade of 75.2 was the best of his career. He didn't miss a beat in four postseason games, allowing just two sacks and nine total pressures.
It's fair to say that the right tackle-turned-guard did enough during the Eagles' Super Bowl run to earn a pay bump.
Mekhi Becton could be Brandon Scherff's successor with the Jaguars
The Philadelphia Eagles proved in their beatdown of the Kansas City Chiefs that you win football games in the trenches. Coincidentally, one of the many reasons the Jacksonville Jaguars went 4-13 last year was that couldn't set the tone at the line of scrimmage. New head coach Liam Coen will need to change that.
Coen won't be able to poach offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland from the Eagles, but maybe the Jaguars can sign Mekhi Becton away. Right guard Brandon Scherff is set to become a free agent in March and Jacksonville will need to find a replacement.
Scherff signed a contract worth $49.5 million with the Jags. While he was dependable, he wasn't nearly as dominant during his Pro Bowl years with the Washington Commanders. Add the fact that he's 33, and moving on from him may be the best course of action. To replace him, the team's brass can go after Beckton.
Coming off a career year, Becton will command more than the $2.7 million he got from Philadelphia in 2024. That said, don't expect him to get a top-market contract. The Jaguars should be willing to offer anything between $8 million and $9 million per year. That feels like a fair amount, and if his asking price exceeds their budget, they're better off passing on.
Sure, Jacksonville must rebuild the trenches but can no longer pay "great player money" to good players. If Becton does fit their budget, he would be a great replacement for Scherff.