As Zion Johnson enters free agency, the Chargers must decide if keeping the former first-round pick is worth the cost. While he could fit Mike McDaniel’s offense, his production has been mostly average, raising the question of whether Los Angeles is better off moving on.
The Los Angeles Chargers have several important decisions to make this offseason, but one of the most intriguing revolves around guard Zion Johnson. The former first-round pick is now set to hit free agency, and the question is whether the Chargers should invest in keeping him or allow him to walk and look for a different solution along the interior offensive line.
On paper, there is still plenty to like about Johnson. Drafted 17th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, he entered the league with a reputation as one of the most technically sound offensive linemen in his class after a standout career at Boston College. He immediately stepped into a starting role and has been one of the more durable players on the Chargers’ offensive line, starting the vast majority of games since entering the league.
Availability has never been Johnson’s problem. The bigger issue is that his performance has never quite matched the expectations that come with being a first-round pick.
Across his first four seasons, Johnson has largely been an average starting guard. According to Pro Football Focus, his 2025 season grade was just 57 overall, ranking 53rd among qualifying guards. His run-blocking grade of 53.4 and pass-blocking grade of 60.6 both placed him in the middle-to-lower tier of starting interior linemen.
There have been flashes of what the Chargers hoped he could become, but they have been inconsistent. At times Johnson has shown the physicality to dominate in the run game, even posting a strong run block win rate compared to other guards around the league. However, his pass protection has been far less reliable, finishing near the bottom of the league in pass block win rate among qualifying guards last season.
That inconsistency is what makes the decision difficult.
There is a reasonable argument that Johnson could benefit from the Chargers’ new offensive approach under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel’s offenses traditionally emphasize outside-zone runs, movement and athletic linemen who can operate in space. Johnson was considered an athletic interior lineman coming out of college, so there is a possibility that the scheme could unlock more of his potential.
But the Chargers also have to weigh cost against production.
Projected contract estimates suggest Johnson could command top dollar the open market. For a player who has performed more like a middle-of-the-pack guard than a difference-maker, that number could be difficult to justify.
The Chargers already have significant investments along the offensive line with star tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Allocating another sizable contract to a guard who has yet to fully break out might not be the most efficient use of resources—especially when the team has several other roster needs.
There is also the broader roster context to consider. The Chargers will already need to replace multiple starters along the offensive line this offseason, meaning the team could look toward the draft or cheaper veteran options to reshape the unit.
Ultimately, Johnson’s story with the Chargers may come down to expectations. He has not been a bad player. In fact, he has been a reliable starter. But when a player is drafted in the first round, the hope is for more than reliability.
Unless the Chargers can retain him on a team-friendly deal, letting Johnson walk might simply be the smarter move. The potential has always been there, but after four seasons of mostly average play, it may be time for both sides to move on.