The Los Angeles Chargers have officially declined the fifth-year option of former first-round pick Zion Johnson.
Johnson was a highly-touted prospect coming into the 2022 NFL Draft and the Chargers took him with the No. 17 overall pick. He has started in 49 games in his career but his performance has had varied results.
The option would have paid him $17.5 million in 2026. Instead, he will be entering the final year of his contract and is scheduled to be a free agent at season's end. The Chargers have sent Johnson the message that without an improved performance this coming season, he could be looking for a new team next year.
Jim Harbaugh is looking to build the most physical and dominant offensive line in the league. He has a good start to that with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater at the tackle positions. The team signed Mekhi Becton to man one of the guard positions this offseason and Jamaree Salyer is another player on the roster who can slide into one of the guard spots.
Johnson has been rumored to be in competition for the team's starting center spot this coming season along with Bradley Bozeman and Andre James. Though it's hard to see Johnson at the center position, it might be his last chance to make an impact on this team.
If Johnson can't win the center job or one of the guard jobs, he could easily be playing his final season in Los Angeles.
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