The Los Angeles Chargers have officially signed TE Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million deal with $17 million guaranteed, making him the NFL’s highest-paid blocking tight end. Additionally, starting guard Zion Johnson has found a new home, signing with the Cleveland Browns on a three-year, $49.5 million deal that includes $32.4 million guaranteed.

The 27-year-old is a former fourth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2022 NFL Draft, where he spent the first four seasons of his career. While Kolar hauled in just 30 receptions on 41 targets for 409 yards and four touchdowns during that span, he established himself as one of the league’s elite blocking tight ends, posting a 71.5 run-blocking grade in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus.

Kolar is a gritty, tough player who fits well within new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme and the team’s culture. He now goes from being coached by John Harbaugh to his brother, Jim Harbaugh, and should make an immediate impact on the Los Angeles run game. That said, don’t count Kolar out as a pass catcher either, as he has shown he can be effective when called upon.

The 26-year-old former first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft will be heading to Cleveland after serving as the Chargers’ most durable player in 2025, playing 100% of the team’s offensive snaps outside of Week 18, when most starters did not suit up as Los Angeles rested its starters in preparation for the playoffs.

Johnson allowed three sacks during this year’s postseason—the third-most among offensive lineman, according to Next Gen Stats. However, he finished the regular season ranked second among guards in run block win rate at 79.3%, while also committing a career-low three penalties across the season.

With Johnson now departing, selecting a guard with the 22nd overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft appears to be an increasingly realistic possibility for Los Angeles. Prospects such as Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane, Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon and Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis headline the interior offensive line class that could make sense for the Chargers.

However, several veteran options also remain on the market, including Pittsburgh Steelers free agent guard Isaac Seumalo, New York Jets free agent guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, former Green Bay Packers guard/center Elgton Jenkins and former Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller, all of whom could emerge as potential targets for Los Angeles in free agency.