Upon signing with the Eagles after the 2024 draft, Mekhi Becton was coming off an injury-defined tenure as a Jets tackle. The Eagles were not initially planning for Becton to move into their starting lineup at guard, but it ended up working out that way after Becton held off Tyler Steen for the gig.
As Cam Jurgens slid to center following Jason Kelce‘s retirement, the Eagles saw that transition lead to a Pro Bowl nod as Jeff Stoutland‘s unit delivered another dominant season. Becton parlayed his role in the Super Bowl LIX-winning campaign into a two-year, $20MM Chargers deal. Becton’s defection returns Steen to the forefront, as Year 3 will provide the 2023 third-round pick another chance.
As it stands, Steen is expected to enter training camp as the frontrunner at right guard, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes. The Eagles had seen Becton impress at guard during their offseason program last year, but Steen still was the presumed favorite heading into camp. Becton, however, moved ahead during the padded work that began when the team reconvened.
The Eagles have another chance to deploy a fully homegrown O-line configuration this season, and Steen has been a candidate to take over at guard since the team drafted him. After working as a clear-cut backup during Kelce’s finale, Steen did not seize an opportunity last year. But the Alabama alum, who played 316 offensive snaps last season, is the favorite once again, InsidetheBirds.com’s Andrew DiCecco notes.
As our Ely Allen broke down last week, trade pickup Kenyon Green lurks after an underwhelming Texans tenure. Becton entered the Stoutland program as a former first-round pick trending downward. It will be interesting to see if the former No. 15 overall pick can make this a legitimate competition. Green and the reacquired Matt Pryor (15 Bears starts in 2024) held the second-team guard roles during the Eagles’ most recent OTA session, DiCecco adds. Should Steen falter again, a team known for strong work in the O-line planning department will have options.
Elsewhere on Philly’s roster, the team will need to get by without its preferred linebacker group for a bit. Suffering a torn patellar tendon during the Eagles’ wild-card win, Nakobe Dean is not close to returning, per Vic Fangio. Slotted as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 off-ball LB last season, Dean had shaken off an injury-plagued tenure prior to his most significant setback yet. The 2023 third-round pick will be a clear candidate for the reserve/PUP list to start the season.
Jihaad Campbell is expected to be ready at some point during training camp, but the first-rounder’s absence — and potential future as an edge player — is giving Jeremiah Trotter Jr. extensive run. Trotter has lined up alongside Zack Baun as a first-stringer during the Eagles’ OTAs.
Drafted in the fifth round by the same team that employed his father during multiple stints, Trotter logged 104 snaps on defense as a rookie. The Eagles used a similar plan for Dean, who effectively redshirted in 2022, but injuries have since intervened. Trotter lining up as the team’s Week 1 starter alongside Baun is squarely in play, McLane adds. Though, Campbell should have plenty to say about this arrangement in the not-too-distant future.