The success of the 2025 Los Angeles Chargers will likely be directly tied to how good the offensive line is. Though Justin Herbert needs some effective weapons to get the football to, Jim Harbaugh’s teams have historically been stout along the offensive line, and that helps make up for deficiencies elsewhere.
Now, in year two as head coach of the Chargers, Harbaugh has taken the same approach.
His offensive line features bookend tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, who could make up the best combination in the league. Free-agent signing Mekhi Becton, who helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl last season, was a tremendous addition.
But the questions around this offensive line heading into 2025 are focused on Zion Johnson and the center position. Johnson, entering what could be his final year with the team, has left much to be desired as a former first-round pick. One of Harbaugh’s ideas this offseason was to try him at center and move last year’s center, Bradley Bozeman, over to guard.
READ: The Chargers are the perfect team to trade for Terry McLaurin
On Monday, Harbaugh was asked about his offensive line by Kris Rhim of ESPN. Calling himself “bullish” on the offensive line, Harbaugh said the team’s best starting five on the O-line includes Johnson at guard and Bozeman at center. However, he noted that Johnson will play center in the team’s next preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, as he did in the Hall of Fame Game last week.
They made Zion Johnson take all those reps at a position he’s never played before in his life just to give off the illusion that they weren’t handing the starting job to Bradley Bozeman again.
And whadda ya know? That’s exactly what they were doing this whole time.
— Tyler Weiss (@TylerMWeiss_) August 4, 2025
It does seem like the team has already decided on what the starting lineup will look like and is just spinning its wheels with Johnson at center. Bozeman likely will be the team’s starting center again, but can Johnson hold up at guard? That’s where the team’s focus should really be for the remainder of the summer before the season kicks off.
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