The move saves $9.7 million against the salary cap
Becton struggled with injuries and expressed frustration during his first season with the team
The Chargers have significant cap space and plan to rebuild their interior offensive line
π Full Retelling
The Los Angeles Chargers plan to release guard Mekhi Becton in a cost-cutting move that will save the team $9.7 million against the salary cap, according to a source who spoke to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on March 4, 2026. Becton, a six-year veteran, struggled during his first season with the Chargers after joining the team on a two-year, $20 million deal last March. The 6-foot-7, 363-pound offensive lineman battled injuries throughout the 2025 season and expressed frustration with the organization at one point in November. Despite these challenges, Becton appeared in 15 games, making 14 starts for the Chargers. Prior to joining Los Angeles, Becton was a first-round draft selection of the Jets in 2020 but endured four injury-plagued seasons in New York before experiencing a career revival with the Super Bowl champion Eagles in 2024. The Chargers entered this offseason with approximately $86 million in projected salary cap space and are expected to focus on rebuilding their interior offensive line. Becton's release comes as the team also prepares to replace retired center Bradley Bozeman, adding further significance to their need for offensive line upgrades during the upcoming free agency period.
π·οΈ Themes
NFL Transactions, Salary Cap Management, Team Restructuring
Mekhi Becton Sr. (born April 18, 1999), nicknamed "Big Ticket", is an American professional football guard for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2020 ...
# National Football League (NFL)
The **National Football League (NFL)** is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the **American Football Conference (AFC)** and the **National Football Conference (NFC)**. It is recognized as the highest professional ...
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