Chargers ‘Made Offers’ To Odafe Oweh, Zion Johnson

While details on the Chargers’ offers are unknown, they were “far more competitive” in trying to re-sign Oweh than Johnson, Popper writes. It was known entering free agency the Chargers wanted to retain Oweh and fellow pass-rushing force Khalil Mack. They successfully kept Mack around on a one-year, $18MM contract, but Oweh moved to Washington for a massive raise. The former Raven returned to the area on a four-year, $100MM pact with the Commanders, who included $68MM in guarantees.

Oweh only played 12 games with the Chargers, who acquired him from the Ravens for safety Alohi Gilman last October, whereas Johnson was a four-year starter with the Bolts. The 2022 first-round pick was durable in L.A., where he missed just two games, but did not turn into the dominant blocker the team wanted when it spent the 17th overall pick on him. Nevertheless, with the Browns hard up for offensive line help, they committed $32.4MM in guarantees to Johnson on a four-year, $49.5MM arrangement.

The Chargers have not adequately replaced Oweh or Johnson in free agency, leaving the two areas as obvious needs as the draft approaches. They could conceivably use their first-round pick, No. 22 overall, on either spot. Even without Oweh, the Chargers still have an enviable edge-rushing duo in Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. However, retirement looms for Mack, who will turn 36 next February. Meanwhile, Tuipulotu joins Mack in entering a contract year. The Chargers want to extend him, but even if that happens, it would make sense to find a long-term successor to Mack.

The Chargers have made modest free agent additions at guard, where they picked up Cole Strange for two years and $13MM and Kayode Awosika for an undisclosed amount. Strange, who played under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in Miami, will start at right guard. If the season began today, the Chargers would use either Awosika or the re-signed Trevor Penning on the left side. Both players are likely better off in depth roles, meaning the Chargers could draft Johnson’s replacement. The belief is the Chargers will indeed target the offensive line, Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom hears.

“I think he keeps drafting offensive linemen,” one general manager told La Canfora. “There’s going to be a run on them at the end of the first round. LA, Philly, Kansas City, Houston, San Francisco. He needs a starting guard.”

For his part, Hortiz made it clear the Chargers will augment their front five in the draft.

“We’re not done on the offensive line,” Hortiz said. “I can promise that.”

A full list of the Chargers’ pre-draft visitors is unavailable, but we know they met with Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis. He could be high on their list late in Round 1.