The Los Angeles Chargers signed Mekhi Becton to be their right guard in a move that will likely lead to a Trey Pipkins release. A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Sioux Falls product has remained with the team over the past six years but has never been particularly impressive. After starting his career at tackle, Pipkins moved to guard following the arrival of 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt. He didn’t fare too well, finishing the year with a 57.8 PFF grade, the 53rd-best mark out of 77 eligible tackles.
Now with nowhere to start, the Chargers can save $6.75 million in cap space with a Trey Pipkins release. This will almost certainly happen within the coming days, which means another free agent will be on the open market. While Pipkins is nobody’s idea of a 17-game starter, the former third-round pick has experience at right guard, both tackle positions, and could probably learn left guard quickly enough. This versatility could be a valuable asset for teams with poor offensive lines, which means he should earn a job with one of the following organizations.
Chargers Likely to Release Trey Pipkins After Mekhi Becton Signing
Next Teams
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots spent big on the defense in free agency, but they haven’t done nearly enough to support second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The UNC product thrived despite playing in an atrocious situation, but the team has not done much to improve his quality of life in 2025. Free agent signee Morgan Moses will help at right tackle, but the left side of the line is an active disaster. Trey Pipkins should not be their first choice, but he might be their only move after the Chargers release him, as there aren’t many quality free agents remaining.
New Orleans Saints
Despite rumors to the contrary throughout the offseason, the New Orleans Saints will run it back with Derek Carr in 2025. The veteran is good enough to guide a team in the right environment, but this porous offensive line could sink the entire team. Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league when pressured, and the Saints must find some healthy bodies who can improve the team.
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold earned a massive raise following his breakout 2024, but it’s anyone’s guess if he can continue his success outside of the near-perfect conditions of Minnesota. Darnold has struggled to overcome poor blocking throughout his career, and the Seattle Seahawks have one of the league’s worst offensive lines. If the team wants to justify moving on from Geno Smith, they should sign Trey Pipkins after the Chargers release him and see where he fits on the offensive line.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs remade their offensive line on the fly with the Jaylon Moore left tackle signing and second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia fighting for the vacated left guard role. While both players have starting potential, neither one is a particularly safe bet. Trey Pipkins’ versatility makes him an ideal backup for the Chiefs, and he can start if either player fails to meet expectations in 2025.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens retained left tackle Ronnie Stanley, but his return came at the expense of Patrick Mekari. The most consistent guard on the team last year, Baltimore could use someone to keep Lamar Jackson upright while clearing rushing lanes for Derrick Henry. Trey Pipkins might not get anyone too excited, but the Chargers release candidate is better than Baltimore’s current options at the position.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – Imagn Images
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