The LA Chargers are in a position to add talent this offseason and the team has done that in the margins through free agency. Unlike last offseason, the Bolts are not in a position where they have to sell off assets just to become salary-cap compliant.
That being said, the Chargers are set up to make a big trade if the opportunity presents itself and the team has players on the roster it could theoretically dangle in trade talks. If that does happen, there is one name that is being circled as a potential trade asset.
Pro Football Focus recently broke down all 32 teams' No. 1 trade asset this offseason and the selection for the Chargers may surprise fans. According to Bradley Locker, 2022 first-round pick Zion Johnson is the biggest trade asset the Bolts have.
"Los Angeles signed guard Mekhi Becton and center Andre James in free agency, while Bradley Bozeman and Trey Pipkins are each back in the fold," Locker wrote. "Johnson’s 62.5 PFF overall grade leads Chargers guards since 2023, but his fifth-year option will probably get declined — and a trade may ensue."
Zion Johnson dubbed a trade asset for the Chargers
Locker's analysis of the situation is spot on. The Chargers did sign both Mekhi Becton and Andre James and are keeping Bradley Bozeman and Trey Pipkins around. Nobody expected Bozeman and Pipkins to return in 2025 so there is more depth than expected.
It is also true the Chargers probably won't pick up the fifth-year option for Johnson. Johnson simply has not played well enough to earn that fully guaranteed salary in 2026. That doesn't mean his tenure with the Bolts is destined to end after the 2025 season but he has to earn his keep on the Chargers.
There is also a way the Chargers could easily replace Johnson on the offensive line. The Bolts could start Pipkins and Becton at the two guard spots with James at center and Bozeman as the backup. Depth-wise, the Chargers have the pieces to make it work.
All that being said, there is no such thing as too much offensive line depth, which makes this trade idea dead on arrival. Offensive line depth is extremely important in the NFL and Chargers fans know how much Jim Harbaugh values that depth.
The entire reason the team is keeping Pipkins around, who was a textbook cap casualty candidate coming into the offseason, is because of the depth he provides as a swing tackle. If Pipkins were to start at guard the team would have no swing tackle to fall back on.
If the Chargers are willing to pay over $9 million for a swing tackle then they probably won't trade a recent first-round pick for pennies on the dollar. Sure, his tenure has been disappointing so far, but there is no reason to sell away Johnson's potential as a possible breakout for a pick that probably won't matter.
Johnson has all the makings of being a trade chip when you are just glancing at the Chargers' roster. However, upon a deeper dive, it is clear that he isn't actually a trade target at all.