Los Angeles Chargers Decline Option on Former First Round Pick Offensive Lineman

The Los Angeles Chargers have worked tirelessly to improve their offensive while cultivating significant size and strength along their front five. 

Harbaugh and the Chargers' new approach paid off in the form of a playoff appearance, although things ended with a resounding thud as they were summarily dispatched by DeMeco Ryans' Houston Texans. 

On Thursday, the Chargers made another move along the offensive line as they decided to decline their option on a former first round pick who started 17 games in 2024 with the club. 

Zion Johnson of the Chargers against the Cardinals in October 2024. 

© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The team chose not to exercise the fifth-year option on the contract of offensive lineman Zion Johnson according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. 

Johnson was in line to make $17.560 million for 2026. The Davidson and Boston College alum will now head into the final year of his contract. 

Johnson, a native of Bowie, Maryland, stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 316 pounds. He was taken 17th overall in 2022 and has started 49 of 51 possible games in a Chargers uniform. 

He sat out two games in 2023 while recovering from a neck injury. 

The Chargers focused mostly on offense during the 2025 NFL draft as they selected North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with their first round pick and Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris with their second round pick.