The Philadelphia Eagles are going to need to spend the offseason on the search for a starting right guard after losing Mekhi Becton in NFL free agency.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Becton is signing a two-year, $20 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The loss of Becton is massive following a historic Super Bowl run, but the Eagles have exactly what they need to replace him: offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
Stoutland is the reason Becton finished 2024 with a 70.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade and ranked 20th among all guards in his first NFL season as a right guard.
Becton, 6-foot-7, 363 pounds, came to Philly on a one-year deal last free agency after the Eagles lost Sua Opeta to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Before joining the Eagles, Becton was an 11th overall pick out of Louisville by the New Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent the first four years in New York bouncing on and off injured reserve.
By the time Becton came to Philly, however, he was healthy, and the Eagles chose to take full advantage of his size by cross-training him at not only at offensive tackle, but right guard as well.
Whatever Stoutland did at "Stoutland U" to turn Becton into a starting right guard, it worked out as he went on to post an impressive breakout season topped with a Super Bowl ring. He also was a big reason Saquon Barkley finished as the No. 1 ranked running back in the NFL last season after rushing for 2,005 yards.
The Eagles do have some in-house options to replace Becton, like Tyler Steen, Trevor Keegan, and recently-acquired Kenyon Green. But if those guys don't live up to expectations throughout the early training camp process, one can expect Stoutland to figure it out.
In Stouland we trust.