NFL teams like the Los Angeles Chargers have until May 1 to either exercise or decline the fully guaranteed 5th-year options of the 1st round picks from the 2022 NFL Draft class for the 2026 season. 5th-year options are based on their position and the four unique tiers, which include basic, playtime, one Pro Bowl, and multiple Pro Bowl selections on the original ballot. Over The Cap goes through each of the four tiers in further detail.
The Chargers had to make a decision by Thursday.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ No. 17 pick lies in Tier 2
Since Zion Johnson has met the playtime requirements of playing 50% of snaps in each of his first three NFL seasons and has yet to make a Pro Bowl, his 5th-year option is categorized under Tier 2. The playtime tier is worth $17.56 million, equivalent to the average of the 3rd to 20th highest-paid salaries at the position over the past five years for all offensive linemen.
Johnson has been relatively healthy to start his career, only missing two games in 2023 with a neck injury. Overall, he has been a solid starter for the Chargers but hasn’t exceeded expectations. He had a decent third season, allowing 37 pressures and seven sacks and posting a 63.5 run blocking grade and a 64.4 overall PFF grade during the regular and postseason per PFF.
The Los Angeles Chargers make a $17 million call on an offensive starter
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, the Chargers declined Zion Johnson’s fully guaranteed 5th-year option for the 2026 season. As a result, unless he agrees to an extension before then, he is scheduled to hit free agency next offseason. He will have a chance to prove himself this year as a capable starting offensive lineman in this league.
#Chargers did not exercise OL Zion Johnson’s fifth-year option, per source.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) May 2, 2025
