During his media availability at the NFL Combine, Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz spent approximately 30 minutes addressing reporters, covering a range of topics. While several key points emerged from his formal session, perhaps the most significant piece of information came after he stepped down from the podium.
According to Chargers team reporter Eric Smith, Hortiz engaged in a brief media scrum where he discussed the offensive line and its potential configuration for the 2025 season. Hortiz revealed that former first-round draft pick and current left guard Zion Johnson has been practicing at center this offseason and is a viable candidate for that position next season.
Los Angeles Chargers Testing Zion Johnson At New Position
It’s worth noting that the Boston College alumnus participated in some post-practice center snaps for interested NFL teams in pre-draft evaluations. Several clubs recognized his potential to transition to center at the professional level, so it’s not surprising that Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz is also considering this possibility.
With current starting center Bradley Bozeman entering free agency this offseason, the Chargers face a crucial decision regarding the composition of their interior offensive line. Depending on the talent available in both the draft and free agency pools, Hortiz and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh may find it more advantageous to draft a new guard and shift Johnson to center, rather than relying on finding a new, impactful center through either of those avenues.
It would be surprising if Bozeman returns as the Chargers’ starting center next season. His one-year stint served as a suitable stopgap solution, with his performance in 2024 largely aligning with his modest salary of just over $1 million. While Bozeman led the team in offensive snaps, his play reflected his established skillset. He can be effective in run blocking when he can generate momentum and attack downhill, but his limited mobility hinders him, and he struggles in pass protection. These weaknesses were evident in his 2023 film with the Carolina Panthers and were similarly apparent during his 2024 season with the Chargers. An upgrade at the center position is clearly needed.
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