The 2024 season is the most important of Zion Johnson's career. Johnson has had an up-and-down NFL career since being drafted by the LA Chargers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Without a strong third season, it will certainly become fair to question if Johnson was a bad pick for the Bolts in the first round.
Johnson seems to know this as he looks like a completely different person heading into year three. The former Boston College guard knows he needs to impress his new coaching staff to secure his long-term future with the Bolts.
It appears the 24-year-old has already left a lasting impression on his new coaching staff before the regular season has even begun. In a recent interview with Barstool's Pardon My Take, head coach Jim Harbaugh shared a gritty story about Johnson and the work ethic he is showcasing during training camp.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh says LG Zion Johnson had a root canal at 2:00 in the afternoon one day and still practiced fully. Despite the procedure, Johnson also opted to do full conditioning drills after practice as well. #gritweek #footballguy
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 5, 2024
via Pardon My Take
Zion Johnson is making the right impression on Chargers' head coach Jim Harbaugh
Zion Johnson is coming to work in 2024 and prove to his new coaching staff, and the entire league, for that matter, that he is a talented guard who can carve out a long career in the NFL. This work ethic is beyond commendable and proves the kind of player Johnson is.
It also highlights the kind of culture Harbaugh is creating throughout the Chargers' building. Work ethic comes from the top in the NFL and Harbaugh has obviously shifted the dynamics of the locker room, which he has done so many times at other stops throughout his coaching career.
Of course, the Chargers do not want players overworking themselves while they are hurt or injured as that will only make matters worse. This is especially the case as the team battles injury after injury during training camp.
But this obviously was not the situation with Johnson, who was simply dealing with discomfort that was not going to increase his chances of getting hurt. None of that mattered as Johnson showed up to practice, put in the extra work, and made a great case for being one of the leaders of this locker room.
It may seem small, but it is moments like this throughout an entire season, and across multiple years, that begin to stack on top of each other to create a Super Bowl-winning culture.
That is the ultimate goal of Harbaugh's tenure with the Bolts and Johnson only proves the team is heading in the right direction toward that goal.