The Chargers did not exercise the fifth-year option on the contract of offensive lineman Zion Johnson, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The option would have paid Johnson $17.560 million for 2026.  He now goes into the 2025 season in the final year of his contract and scheduled to become a free agent in March.

The Chargers made Johnson the 17th overall pick in 2022.  The 25-year-old has started 49 of a possible 51 games. He missed two games in 2023 with a neck injury.  Johnson has mostly struggled at guard but will get likely his final change to prove himself in 2025.