The Los Angeles Chargers have an opportunity this offseason to build off an excellent first season with Jim Harbaugh that resulted in a playoff appearance. While the turnaround was impressive, there is still an obvious gap between the Chargers and the best teams in the AFC.
In order to continue building a contender both now and into the future, the front office knows the holes it needs to address. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, one of those needs is at center during a poor year in the free agency market at that position.
As a result, general manager Joe Hortiz revealed that 2022 first-round pick Zion Johnson is going to experiment with a move from guard. He's unpopular among fans who don't want his fifth-year option picked up, but this transition provides him a unique opportunity to bolster his value.
#Chargers GM Joe Hortiz did a post-podium scrum with local reporters.
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) February 25, 2025
Of note: Hortiz said Zion Johnson has been getting some work at center and could be a possibility there in 2025.
Bradley Bozeman started every game last year but is a pending free agent.
Chargers Considering Moving Guard Zion Johnson to Center in Pivotal Season
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday during the NFL Combine, Hortiz revealed that Johnson could be an option at center. As explained by Daniel Popper of The Athletic, this would be a logical way for Los Angeles to approach a difficult situation on the offensive line.
"He has not played center at the college or pro levels, though he did take snaps at center during the Senior Bowl. This feels like a move out of necessity," Popper wrote. "In an ideal world, the Chargers could find a starting center upgrade externally this offseason. But they do not control the pool of players. The options are very, very limited in the draft and free agency."
Despite fans' poor outlook towards his consistency, Johnson hasn't been entirely terrible (if you ignore his draft stock). He ranked 47th out of 135 qualified guards at Pro Football Focus in 2024 and has started at least 15 games every season of his career, showcasing a unique level of durability.
"The Chargers must feel like moving Johnson to center is their best option. That would leave them with one guard spot to fill, and they could find that player in mid-market free agency," Popper continues. "The Indianapolis Colts’ Will Fries makes sense. Then, the Chargers could draft a second guard."
Los Angeles hasn't yet decided on Johnson's fifth-year option. They have a year to do so, and it'd benefit him in the long run to move to center. Typically speaking, center is considered a more valuable position than guard, which means Johnson could demand a higher salary in a potential extension should he prove to be a capable man in the middle.
We'll see what happens but it looks like the Chargers' desperation could give Johnson a great chance to deepen his pockets.