Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz joined the Chargers Weekly podcast for an interview this week to discuss where the team stands in phase two of their offseason program. Aside from being asked about the team's 2025 draft picks and undrafted free agent class, Hortiz was also asked questions about the state of the offensive line heading into the season.
Hortiz was asked about 2022 first-round guard Zion Johnson in particular. Matt "Money" Smith mentioned Johnson's fifth-year option being declined. Prior to this podcast, Hortiz had not commented on that decision publicly. Here's what he had to say about Johnson:
"Zion (Johnson), we think he has the versatility to work at center as well," Hortiz started. "Picking up the option, that's the money side of football. That has nothing to do with Zion. He's a player that we love and want to continue to talk in the future, keeping him around."
Chargers' GM Joe Hortiz breaks silence on Zion Johnson
While Johnson hasn't lived up to his first-round pick billing yet, the Chargers were not alone in turning down the fifth-year option for an interior offensive lineman. The Ravens went as far as to turn down center Tyler Linderbaum's $23.4 million fifth-year option, even as a two-time Pro Bowler.
In part, Hortiz's comments are true on the "money side of football". The fifth year option does not differentiate between center, guard, and tackle as opposed to it being a one-size-fits-all price for offensive linemen in general.
If Johnson does have a break out campaign 2025, it's clear that the Chargers' brass believes they could still get him back for cheaper than his declined $17.56 million option.
In a follow up question, Smith asked Hortiz if the current projected offensive line of the team would have Johnson at left guard with Bradley Bozeman at center.
"I'd say it's fluid," Hortiz said. "In the end, that's the beauty of offensive line and then getting players that are versatile. You gotta remember when Bradley (Bozeman) came into the league, his first year he played left guard. His first two years, played left guard for Baltimore. And then he became a center. So, he's got that position versatility. Zion (Johnson) was obviously a tackle in college and then guard. So he's got flexibility to move around."
Hortiz went on to say that offensive linemen could be moved around for the best possible fit "if they're intelligent". His comments line up with those of HC Jim Harbaugh, who had said that Johnson and Bozeman would alternate practice days at left guard and center as the Chargers figure out their starting offensive line.
Johnson enters a contract year in the NFL as a former first-round selection. The stakes could not be higher for Bozeman or even Andre James as well. If the interior offensive line doesn't improve in 2025 to the degree that the front office and coaching staff expect, there probably will be some personnel changes.