Chargers’ Risky Investment in Mekhi Becton Reveals Alarming Snap Count Issues
The Los Angeles Chargers entered the offseason with a glaring need to address their offensive line. Despite the pressing need, their attempt to bolster the unit with a high-profile free agent signing has backfired, exposing deeper concerns about player durability and performance. The team’s choice to bring in Mekhi Becton, a former first-round draft pick and newly minted Super Bowl champion, was intended to provide a much-needed upgrade to a struggling interior line. However, the results have been disappointing.
Injury Concerns Surface Early
From the outset, doubts about Becton’s health were evident. His career has been marred by injuries, and the Chargers signed him with the hope that he could overcome these hurdles. In previous seasons, Becton recorded a career-high snap count of 1,158, but this year with the Chargers, he’s on track for only 648 snaps. The question looms: how did the situation deteriorate so quickly?
A Closer Look at Snap Counts
Analyzing Becton’s snap counts through the first eleven games of the season paints a troubling picture:
Week 1: 49 of 65 snaps – Limited due to poor game shape and food poisoning.
Week 2: 58 of 58 snaps – Full participation.
Week 3: 31 of 86 snaps – Concussion cut his game short.
Week 4: 0 of 63 snaps – Missed due to the concussion.
Week 5: 36 of 67 snaps – Left early with a hand injury.
Week 6: 64 of 64 snaps – Full participation.
Week 7: 75 of 76 snaps – Missed one snap for unknown reasons.
Week 8: 6 of 72 snaps – Knee injury forced an early exit.
Week 9: 0 of 65 snaps – Knee injury kept him sidelined.
Week 10: 73 of 73 snaps – Full participation.
Week 11: 27 of 48 snaps – Benched due to a blowout, recording fewer snaps than other starters who were also benched.
In total, Becton has participated in just 419 of 737 possible snaps, translating to a mere 56.9 percent of the team’s offensive plays. This inconsistency, coupled with ongoing injury issues and performance struggles, raises significant questions about his future with the Chargers.
Future Uncertainty for Becton and the Chargers
With the Chargers facing a critical juncture in their season, the team must evaluate Becton’s role moving forward. Given his limited availability and the impact on the offensive line’s performance, there are growing speculations about whether he will remain with the team beyond 2026.
As the Chargers navigate the remainder of the season, they must grapple with the implications of this high-risk investment. The decision to sign Becton, intended to shore up a weak offensive line, could ultimately lead to further complications if his penchant for injuries continues. The franchise is left to ponder the cost of their gamble and the pressing need for a more reliable solution.
