The Philadelphia Eagles open training camp on July 22 with the defending champions taking the field for their first official practice the following day.
While the focus of the group should be on the 2025 season and defending their Super Bowl title, the Eagles did have one final opportunity to celebrate their success from this past year. Over the weekend, the team held its ring ceremony to commemorate their dominant victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Stars still playing for Philadelphia were present for the celebration, as were several other players who have moved onto new franchises since helping the Eagles lay claim to their second Lombardi Trophy.
The chance to have a final celebration with his former teammates in Philadelphia was so important to one veteran that he skipped his new team's practice to be there.
Ex-Eagle Mekhi Becton Skipped Chargers Practice to Celebrate in Philly
The Los Angeles Chargers will face the Detroit Lions in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game on July 31. So, those franchises opened training camp a week earlier than the rest of the league.
Former Eagles offensive lineman Mekhi Becton signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Chargers in March of 2025. While his work address is now in Southern California, his actions from this past weekend show that his heart is still in Philadelphia.
Mekhi Becton, who was at the Eagles ring ceremony last night, also not at practice. Looks like Joe Alt will be kicking to LT and Trey Pipkins will be at RT. Jamaree Salyer at RG. Bradley Bozeman at C and Zion Johnson at LG. https://t.co/dM9JtO2QAR
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) July 20, 2025
Becton, almost certainly, received permission from Jim Harbaugh and the rest of Los Angeles' coaching staff to miss practice to cross the country and celebrate his achievement from the 2024 season. Given Harbaugh was a player himself, he should understand how meaningful these accomplishments are and how important it is to take the time to celebrate them.
The connection Becton still feels to the City of Brotherly Love and the Eagles franchise, in particular, is clear after these actions. No one would have faulted Becton if he had chosen to remain in Los Angeles and focus on training camp with his new teammates. Instead, he was there with the men he went to battle with week in and week out.
That decision is telling and should be something that sticks with Eagles fans moving forward.