Section 215
Fansided

Nick Sirianni Credited With Eagles' Season-Changing Position Switch

By Chris Schad

Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni before action against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Imagess
Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni before action against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Imagess / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The Philadelphia Eagles have built one of the best offensive lines in football and it’s helped them advance to the Super Bowl for the second time in the past three seasons. 

With Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens leading the way, Philadelphia ranked No. 1 in Pro Football Focus’s offensive line rankings at the end of the year. But while that quartet has helped establish a punishing unit heading into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, it was a key position switch that helped bring it all together this season.

Nick Sirianni Credited For Idea to Move Mekhi Becton to Guard

Mekhi Becton was originally thought of as a depth signing for the Eagles last offseason after playing tackle for the New York Jets for the past four seasons. While his 6-foot-7, 345-pound frame screamed playing on the outside, Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland revealed that it was a suggestion by head coach Nick Sirianni during OTAs that sparked his move to guard.

“I’m not going to lie to you. I never knew that a 6-foot-7 [player]...if you go back through the history books of [6-foot-7] guard production, you’re not going to find too many,” Stoutland told Eagles SportsNation and MetroPhilly writer Anthony DiBona. “It was during OTAs where Nick said to me, ‘Let’s just try him out for a couple of practices. Let’s just see how he does.’ and I was like ‘Cool. Let’s go.’”

Becton was the 11th overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2020 NFL Draft but was limited to one game in 2021 and missed the entire 2022 season due to a knee injury. Although he returned to play 16 games for New York in 2023, he signed with Philadelphia in free agency last spring.

The switch to guard rejuvenated the 25-year-old’s career as he posted a 72.5 overall grade and 71.9 run blocking grade according to PFF. The move could also help Becton earn a lot of money this offseason as PFF ranks Becton as the No. 6 guard and No. 41 overall free agent in this year’s class and could earn an annual salary of $9 million this spring.

With Over The Cap projecting over $18 million in cap space this offseason, Becton could return to Philadelphia. But the Eagles’ unconventional thinking has helped them uphold their play in the trenches even after Jason Kelce’s retirement and could help them find Becton’s replacement if he signs elsewhere this offseason.

More Philadelphia Eagles News & Rumors:

feed

Home/Philadelphia Eagles