During the Philadelphia Eagles' offseason training camp, all eyes were on Mekhi Becton as he navigated a challenging transition and showcased impressive adaptability. The lineman initially found himself struggling against Jalen Carter, but perseverance swiftly changed the narrative.
Becton’s early struggles with Carter became a testament to his resilience. As the training camp progressed, his performance improved remarkably, balancing the once daunting matchups. "It's been fun. We had a little back and forth today. We went against each other and you know I'm starting to catch up to him. I'm starting to get his number. We're starting to get each others' numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton noted, reflecting his competitive spirit and determination.
Becton’s rapid improvement not only caught the attention of his coaches but also placed him as the frontrunner for the starting right guard position, a critical role for the Eagles as they gear up for Week 1 of the season. This development became increasingly evident during the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. In that game, Becton was the only first-team starter on the offense to take the field, highlighting the team’s confidence in his abilities.
Playing eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen, Becton marked his debut as a right guard in a live game. "There's always room for improvement on anything. This was the first time I ever played right guard in a live game. Of course, I'm gonna look at the film with Stout [Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland] and figure out what we need to do. We'll come together and combine it," Becton explained, illustrating his commitment to refining his skills and his collaborative approach with the coaching staff.
The shift to right guard required Becton to adjust both mentally and physically, a transition he managed with the support of his teammates and coaches. Cam Jurgens, who has been providing guidance on the complexities of the position, emphasized the importance of understanding different defensive techniques and adapting footwork accordingly. "A lot of it's talking about angles and where I want him to be and just how different every D-lineman plays. You're going to have two gappers, penetrators, different guys play different techniques, so figuring out how the footwork changes from each defensive guy and where that linebacker is and if we have certain motions where it may change our footwork," Jurgens elaborated.
Similarly, Landon Dickerson acknowledged Becton’s swift adaptation and praised his physical attributes as significant advantages. "A little bit of an adjustment for him, but the way he's built, the way he can move with his long arms, his reach, his lateral quickness, I think right now he's really excelling at that position. And it is an adjustment, but he's handling it extremely well," Dickerson observed, adding that Becton’s progress in practice has been highly impressive. "For him to make that transition and come inside, and the way he's been able to succeed in doing well in practice, and come out here every day and keep getting better, is impressive."
For Becton, the key to mastering the right guard position has been a relentless focus on footwork and hands. "It's still O-line at the end of the day. I still gotta get my hands. I still gotta do my footwork. It's just all about attacking my footwork and I did attack it," he stated, underscoring the fundamental aspects of his role.
Becton’s progress is not only a personal triumph but also a crucial development for the Eagles’ offensive line. His improvement and adaptability could play a pivotal role in the team’s performance in the upcoming season. With the regular season just around the corner, Becton’s journey from struggle to frontrunner serves as a compelling narrative of growth, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence.