Eagles gave up on this veteran too soon (and they might regret it)

The Philadelphia Eagles have valued the offensive line more than any other team in the NFL. It's why the team has been so successful over the last two decades.

Thanks to the help of Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, Philadelphia has dominated teams in the trenches. Stoutland has developed great linemen like Jason Kelce, Evan Mathis, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and so, so many more.

One of Stoutland's most impressive accomplishments was his ability to resurrect Mekhi Becton's career from a bust to one of the top guards in the NFL. Even in just one year, Becton was a force on the Eagles' line and was rewarded in the offseason with a new contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. A move that could bite the Eagles in the butt in 2025.

Becton's departure could be a move the Eagles would like to have back

To truly understand how good Becton was last year compared to the rest of the NFL, the data needs to be examined. Becton started 15 games at right guard after spending the first four years at tackle for the New York Jets. His Pro Football Focus grades from 2024 show he was among the best in the league.

Where Becton helped the most was in the running game as Saquon Barkley crushed it with 2,005 yards on the ground, and the Eagles were second in the NFL in rushing with nearly 180 yards per game. Between Becton and Johnson on the right side of the line, the Eagles were as good as any team in the NFL.

Unfortunately for Philadelphia, they saw Becton leave after the season to earn a much-deserved two-year, $20 million contract with the Chargers. The Eagles demonstrated during the offseason that they were willing to hold firm on not paying certain players for younger talent they had drafted.

That's where Tyler Steen enters the picture as the new projected starting right guard. While there will be a "position battle" at training camp for the job, it appears to be Steen's to lose. Can he do well in the job?

The good part about Steen is that he has started games for the Eagles in the past and already has chemistry with the linemen who are there. His skill set is not as refined as Becton's, though, which is a big loss for Philadelphia.

Becton already has the skill set to be a great lineman, as he proved it before being a first-round pick to the Jets. It didn't go well there, but Stoutland brought out the best in him. Stoutland could do the same for Steen.

The right guard position is the only one in the Eagles' offense that doesn't have their starter back. It would be nice to have Becton back there, but it's understandable why they wanted to go with Steen. Philadelphia has to help not regret that decision when they already had an established starter there who thrived in the role.