The center battle between Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman is one of the biggest LA Chargers storylines to watch this summer. Johnson got the starting nod in the first preseason game on Thursday and unfortunately, dug himself a tough hole to get out of.
The 2022 first-round pick looked like someone who had never played center before in the Chargers' first drive of the game. After recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff, the Chargers had snap issues on not one, but two different plays during the first drive of the game.
This, mixed with Johnson's poor blocking and consistent inability to read pass-rush stunts, already has many Chargers fans out on the former Boston College guard. However, head coach Jim Harbaugh is not out; in fact, he had nothing but great things to say about Johnson after the game.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh on Zion Johnson's performance: "I thought Zion did good. Great player for us. Really had never played center. An offseason project."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 1, 2025
"Probably the most athletic lineman, maybe our smartest."
"I thought he did a heck of a job."
Chargers fans can't help but disagree with Jim Harbaugh on Zion Johnson
Let's be fair, Harbaugh isn't going to go out there and bury his guy to the media. Harbaugh and the Chargers still want to see what Johnson can provide at the center position. Doing anything other than hyping him up after the game could be destructive toward that goal.
That doesn't mean Chargers fans have to agree with what Harbaugh is saying, though. And it's more than fair to say that most fans do not agree.
Johnson simply didn't turn in a good game, plain and simple. It's not even totally Johnson's fault as he has never played center in a game setting. Of course he was going to struggle in his first-ever reps. Unfortunately, that is part of the problem with trying this experiment in the first place.
As camp has gone on, especially after this preseason showing, it's seeming more and more likely that Johnson will lose the starting center job to Bradley Bozeman. From there, it's impossible to know what exactly is in store for Johnson.
Early on, he was on a fast track to start again at left guard. However, Jamaree Salyer was getting first-team left guard reps in practice while Johnson was playing backup center. It's hard to know exactly where he stands in this newfound battle given the circumstances.
Any fans looking for clarity from Harbaugh clearly aren't going to get it. Harbaugh is going to continue with the coach speak, hyping up Johnson as one of the team's best offensive linemen until he doesn't have to anymore.
Hopefully, for the sake of the Chargers' success in 2025, Johnson lives up to be the version of himself that Harbaugh sees in him.