My bad, I thought he was a RG, so this is the final clue to Bitonio not returning? I'm not sure he is an upgrade to Bitonio, even at his age.
LG signed RT traded for
Still need: LT C RG
Johnson has played over 4,400 total career snaps. His positional breakdown is as follows: Left Guard: 3,238 snaps. This has been his primary position since 2023. Right Guard: 1,254 snaps. He played 100% of these snaps during his rookie season in 2022. Center: Limited snaps. While he took reps at center during the 2025 preseason (logging 12 snaps in one game) and training camp, he has not held the position for a full regular season.
I suppose the team might think he could be their RG, but I'm guessing the decision to sign him stems from his time at LG.
If so, I think it is a good indication on Bitonio's retirement decision.
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
Looking at a Chargers' message board, they don't seem too sad to see Zion leaving. They were seemingly more interested in getting a comp pick as he is a former first rounder.
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
Well according to PFF he was their 54th ranked OG last year, for comparison Bitonio was ranked 21st and Teller 39th. Best I can say is that he's young and he's a body, hopefully our new Oline Coach and help him reach his potential.
Looking at a Chargers' message board, they don't seem too sad to see Zion leaving. They were seemingly more interested in getting a comp pick as he is a former first rounder.
Not terribly surprised. The Chargers OL was atrocious last year. I know they had a lot of injuries but that was a mess of an OL protecting Herbert.
It’s another overpay, but that’s what happens in FA.
Well according to PFF he was their 54th ranked OG last year, for comparison Bitonio was ranked 21st and Teller 39th. Best I can say is that he's young and he's a body, hopefully our new Oline Coach and help him reach his potential.
Seems like a lot of money for mediocrity. But as I said in a former post, THIS is the year to get paid if you're an O-lineman. 2/3rds of the league needs and there isn't enough quality out there in FA or the draft. He's entering his prime so maybe this pans out.
"Team Chemistry No Match for Team Biology" (Onion Sports Headline)
Listened to Baskin and Phelps. They were saying that Zion played RG as a rookie and played really well but then got moved to LG and was just so-so. Wonder what our plans are for him
The difference between Jesus and religion Religion mocks you for having dirty feet Jesus gets down on his knees and washes them
This is a lot of money for a player who, at best, has just been OK. Last year, Zion Johnson ranked 54th out of 79 PFF-graded offensive linemen. He gave up five sacks and was "beaten" 22 times, both near the top among guards. The offensive line was a disaster for the Chargers, and now the Browns -- who are replacing their entire offensive line -- are spending significant money on one of its members. There were better options available for less money.
This is a lot of money for a player who, at best, has just been OK. Last year, Zion Johnson ranked 54th out of 79 PFF-graded offensive linemen. He gave up five sacks and was "beaten" 22 times, both near the top among guards. The offensive line was a disaster for the Chargers, and now the Browns -- who are replacing their entire offensive line -- are spending significant money on one of its members. There were better options available for less money.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Looking at a Chargers' message board, they don't seem too sad to see Zion leaving. They were seemingly more interested in getting a comp pick as he is a former first rounder.
That is usually what happens when a 1st round pick doesn't live up to the expectations. That doesn't mean he isn't a good player. On the home front, Gerrard Warren would be a good example.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
Looking at a Chargers' message board, they don't seem too sad to see Zion leaving. They were seemingly more interested in getting a comp pick as he is a former first rounder.
That is usually what happens when a 1st round pick doesn't live up to the expectations. That doesn't mean he isn't a good player. On the home front, Gerrard Warren would be a good example.
Sometimes a guy isn't a scheme fit, and sometimes a guy plays on the side that isn't comfortable for him. Sometimes an OL just doesn't fit in the mix of the overall OL. Someone mentioned Teller as an example. On defense, Devin Bush is a great example. I would add Tyson Campbell as another example. For whatever reason, things just go wrong for a guy in one particular place.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
ESPN, in their winners and losers of FA article had very withering things to say about Zion Johnson and the Browns' willingness to pay him what we're paying him. We were in the losers column. They consider him a very below average guard who the Chargers let go even though they need a guard and they had his 5th year option available. Hopefully we pick up a few in the draft that give him some competition.
"Team Chemistry No Match for Team Biology" (Onion Sports Headline)
The film breakdown (posted a few days ago) done by Jake Burns actually had me excited of what he can do.
He has some quickness and good feet.
A few things that drove me crazy watching our former line this past season that I posted in the post game threads:
- our guards (example: going left to right/right to left) and not sealing off the second level LBs. Our guards weren't quick enough - guards not being able to seal off DL when the G had to beat the DL to a spot while the DL had a shading advantage - picking up stunts, we had to be one of the worst teams in the league - guards pulling, it was rough to watch as they were too slow - watching our OL use their first punch, it gets knocked away by the DL and our OL can't recover
What I've seen from Johnson:
- quickness to get out in front when pulling - being able to seal off a DL, when the DL was lined up with an advantage - he uses his right arm as his main punch, I've seen plays of him having it knocked away and uses good form to keep the DL in front of him - He is a smaller G at 6'3. Some of the best DTs have bull rushed him (Dexter Lawrence/Chris Jones) and have knocked him up and off balance, however he did a great job of recovering his stance and slowing the defender and holding him in front of him - I didn't watch every game, but I didn't ever see him pushed back into the QB as I have seen Teller do those numerous times. - he was pretty good regarding stunts, however there were a couple breakdowns where he missed a few.
I think he has a lot of good things about him. He should be a big piece to our running game regarding pulling. He's in his prime years, so he has room to improve on things and hopefully having better lineman around him will also help. That Chargers line was so ugly to watch in the film
What is your take on his power for short yardage blocking? Can he win at goal line & 4th and short. We were too slow too often and didn't seal off well regularly. He may need some chip help. I am encouraged about quick feet! Our OL had some absolute sleds. This sounds promising. Good post! Thanx.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
Our line was so damn slow last year. This was the first season I really watched the after-game All-22 breakdowns. It's really taught me quite a bit regarding the plays, seeing the mistakes (especially with all the rookies we had on O), and also how the team's plan was to attack said opponent. Burns does a great job of breaking down the plays and he really doesn't sugar coat it. He points out the good and the bad. Watching our previous line in real time was bad, watching them in the replays was worse.
I think he will be good. Most of the one on one's I saw, he will beat you to the position, he will hold his own. Plays very strong, out to hit people, especially on pulls. He's the athletic type, graded really high in the three cone drill, 20 yard shuttle, broad jump in his draft time.
What I saw was a guard that can hold his position, I don't see him as a road grader pushing DTs 5 yards down field. The one on ones, he held his position and sealed off well. I don't see him as being an issue at all. That is about the best answer I can give you with just some basic film study.
I know I really didn't answer your question directly besides maybe the couple sentences above. The biggest thing is who will be positioned on each side of him. We have quite a few months of offseason and training camp till we figure that out.
Either way, I think he’s a solid piece who should play above our expectations. I am excited about this pickup.
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