The Los Angeles Chargers are set to release offensive guard Mekhi Becton, a Super Bowl champion, as part of a major roster overhaul. This decision, expected to occur soon, will free nearly $10 million in salary cap space for head coach Jim Harbaugh to utilize during the offseason.
Becton’s Brief Tenure with the Chargers Amid Injuries and Inconsistency
Mekhi Becton joined the Chargers twelve months ago after winning the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans. The 26-year-old had signed a two-year, $20 million contract and started 15 games protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. However, his time in Los Angeles was marked by injuries and uneven performance on an already struggling offensive line.
Chargers’ Season Performance Hampered by Offensive Line Struggles
Despite finishing the regular season 11-7 and securing a playoff berth for the second straight year—the first time since a four-year stretch from 2006 to 2009—the Chargers faced significant issues upfront. The offensive line repeatedly faltered, allowing Herbert to be sacked six times during a heavy defeat to Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots in the wildcard round. Throughout the season, Herbert endured a league-high 129 hits, plus 11 more in the postseason game.
Injuries and Lineup Changes Weakened Offensive Line Stability
Key injuries to starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater forced widespread shuffling along the line. This resulted in nine different offensive line groupings playing at least 50 snaps, undermining cohesion. Becton himself was affected by injury setbacks and was unable to consistently solidify the guard position.
Background on Mekhi Becton’s NFL Career
Becton was selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, where he spent four seasons before signing with Philadelphia in 2024. His trajectory has been promising but interrupted by health issues and the challenges he faced integrating with the Chargers’ offensive front.
Implications of the Release and Next Steps for the Chargers
This roster adjustment signals a commitment by the Chargers to rebuild a more reliable offensive line to better protect Justin Herbert moving forward. Clearing nearly $10 million in cap space provides Jim Harbaugh with flexibility to pursue reinforcements and address glaring weaknesses exposed in a disappointing playoff exit. How the Chargers reinvest this freed capital will be crucial to their prospects in the upcoming season.
The Chargers are expected to release Mekhi Becton, which will clear $9.7 million in cap space.
Once again, Los Angeles will overhaul the interior of their offensive line to protect Justin Herbert. pic.twitter.com/RGSYuFwJHc
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 19, 2026
