One of the most confusing parts of the LA Chargers offseason was the team only making one addition to the offensive line, Mekhi Becton. That confusion is carrying over into the team's offseason workout program, as the Bolts don't have a clear starter at center or left guard.
Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman started at the two positions last season and are candidates to start yet again in 2025. However, the Chargers may still switch things up as head coach Jim Harbaugh previously alluded to Johnson getting a chance at center in his fourth season.
Those allusions continue to see the practice field as Justin Herbert was seen taking snaps from Johnson during the team's offseason workout program on Tuesday. This is the last workout program before next week's OTAs, which is sure to answer even more questions.
Chargers continue confusing fans with Zion Johnson taking snaps at center
Jim Harbaugh told us all that Johnson was in the running to play center but nobody actually seemed to take him serious. Well... it seems like he is serious.
Harbaugh following up on his word isn't confusing; it's the way the Chargers have handled the entire offensive line situation that is confusing. The interior offensive line was the weakpoint of the entire team last season and the Bolts did very little to fix it.
Sure, Mekhi Becton is a great addition, but he can't play all three interior offensive line spots at once. The Chargers still have two starters who struggled last season penciled in to start. Switching positions isn't going to magically fix the problem.
Johnson has no experience playing center and Bozeman hasn't played guard for several years. As bad as Bozeman was last season, he has also been better at center throughout his NFL career. Switching positions is opening the door to turn things from bad to worse.
Branson Taylor isn't ready to start after being taken in the 2025 NFL Draft and Jamaree Salyer doesn't seem to be a starter, either. Trey Pipkins struggled at right guard and would likely play even worse at left guard. He is better off as a swing tackle.
Andre James is another option for the center position and might be the only one who could provide the team hope. In a perfect world, James would start at center, return to his great 2023 form, and Johnson would develop into a better left guard in his fourth season.
But the Chargers don't seem overly sold on James being a starting option. If they were, Johnson wouldn't get the starting snaps he is getting with Justin Herbert.
This entire offensive line situation is confusing for Chargers fans.