The Los Angeles Chargers had perhaps no greater question to answer this offseason than whether they were willing to pay up to keep Zion Johnson on the roster.
Since being selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he's had his fair share of ups and downs. But a relatively strong campaign on an abysmal offensive line in 2025, which of course happened to be his contract year, inflated his market this offseason.
As early as the NFL Scouting Combine Daniel Popper of The Athletic was reporting that Johnson's market could exceed even $20 million annually.
Although it evidently didn't reach those lofty heights, Johnson agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns on Monday for a three-year, $49.5 million contract: an annual value of roughly $16.5 million.
Former Chargers G Zion Johnson reached agreement today on a three-year, $49.5 million deal including $32.4 million guaranteed with the Cleveland Browns, per his agents Alan Herman and Jared Fox. pic.twitter.com/295cu8Dh2r
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
While Johnson's departure will likely not be the biggest surprise of the offseason, it does leave a serious need— one the Chargers will likely need to fill on Day 1 of the NFL Draft.
Zion Johnson's departure means the Chargers cannot afford to leave both guard spots to the open market
The Chargers still have ample cap space even after their small grouping of pre-free agency signings. Their decision to allow Johnson to walk, especially at that figure, is presumably a sign of both their estimation of him as a player and their hesitancy to spend big at the guard spots.
No matter what the reason behind their choice is, though, Los Angeles is now in need of two new starting guards this offseason. Could they perhaps grab Joel Bitonio or Isaac Seumalo at a slightly lower figure in free agency?
That remains a distinct possibility. But Johnson's departure will almost certainly force their hand in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
While the Chargers were long linked to Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane, momentum has started to build around him going earlier in the first round to a team like the Baltimore Ravens. Chase Bisontis out of Texas A&M and Emmanuel Pregnon out of Oregon could be options at that spot, or Los Angeles could trade up in the second round to nab one of the two.
But this, in all likelihood, kills any chances of the Chargers drafting one of the run-stuffing defensive tackles, such as Peter Woods or Caleb Banks, in the first round. It also likely takes Kenyon Sadiq, the explosive tight end, out of the realm of possibility.
If they had held onto Johnson, they would have had the flexibility to take their pick of the litter at 22nd overall. Instead, the pressure will now be on to fill a gaping hole in the offense.