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Zion Johnson wastes no time terrifying Chargers fans at training camp

Originally posted on Bolt Beat | By Jason Reed | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 9:30 AM ET

One of the biggest storylines surrounding the LA Chargers at the start of training camp is the ongoing offensive line debacle. After a year in which the interior offensive line really struggled, the Chargers' solution, outside of making one addition in Mekhi Becton, was to simply swap Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman.

Johnson struggled at left guard last season and has no NFL experience at center, but that is where he is getting reps in practice. Bozeman struggled at center and has historically been worse at left guard, yet that is where Harbaugh wants him.

Chargers fans are skeptical of this plan working out after seeing the same tandem struggle mightily last season. Unfortunately, the skepticism has been completely warranted as Johnson is picking up right where he left off... in the worst way.

First, it was a mix-up in pass pro where Johnson, while playing left guard, completely missed his assignment and allowed an untouched Khalil Mack to break through the line of scrimmage.

Zion Johnson at center will have Herbert in a coffin by week 2 https://t.co/r9NLDfBNWB
— Tha_Frederation △⃒⃘⚡️ (@Tha_Frederation) July 20, 2025

That's not all. The offensive operation has been very sloppy with Johnson at center, as indicated by Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

"The pads are not on yet, so it is impossible to truly evaluate offensive line play," Popper writes. "But one note: Herbert bobbled a couple of Johnson’s snaps. One snap in the two-point-conversion period was very high and led to a busted play. Johnson has not played center in college or the NFL."

Zion Johnson is turning heads for the wrong reason at Chargers training camp

Look, there is a long way to go until the start of the 2025 season and the hope is that Johnson is still knocking off the cobwebs. A handful of bad practices in July isn't going to determine how successful someone will be in December.

That being said, Johnson has already built up a reputation so it is hard to give him the benefit of the doubt when he struggles like this. This isn't an established, trusted veteran struggling at the start of training camp. This is someone who has struggled his entire career trying something new... and still struggling.

As great as the tackles are, and as solid as Becton projects to be at right guard, the Chargers' offensive line is only as good as its weakest links. If Johnson and Bozeman don't right the ship, and the Chargers don't turn to external options, then the offense will naturally be limited.

It's early, so it's not time to completely hit the panic button yet. But Chargers fans have every right to be terrified by how Johnson started camp. If this continues, it might be time to look at remaining free agents or trade targets.

This article first appeared on Bolt Beat and was syndicated with permission.

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