AFC West Rumors: Chiefs, Chargers, Miller
The Chiefs took a gamble on injured tackle Josh Simmons, who saw a patellar tendon tear ding his draft stock a bit. The Ohio State standout went down six games into the season, and some debate existed going into the draft about his availability for the season. Simmons said (via The Athletic’s Mike Jones) a July return point, potentially in time for training camp, is expected. The Chiefs have doubled up on tackles this offseason, adding Simmons after giving Jaylon Moore a two-year, $30MM deal in the early hours of the legal tampering period. Kansas City, which used four LT starters last season before its makeshift setup unraveled in the Super Bowl, has seen extensive turnover here since Eric Fisher‘s 2020 AFC championship game injury. If Simmons makes his way to the LT role early, it is worth wondering the team’s Moore plan.
Andy Reid said the Chiefs view Moore as capable of playing multiple O-line positions. Seeing as Moore has never played a guard snap in the NFL, this would mean those positions are LT and RT. Jawaan Taylor has underwhelmed at RT, becoming known for penalties and a phantom start that could draw more. The Chiefs guaranteed Taylor’s $20MM 2025 compensation in 2024, but Moore could potentially compete with the free agency miss this offseason. For now, Moore appears to be a Chiefs stopgap at left tackle.
Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- Although Kolton Miller has made it known he wants a new contract, The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes the veteran Raiders left tackle has reported for voluntary workouts. The mid-April report pertaining to Miller’s interest in a raise suggested the eighth-year blocker would stay away; his reporting could be a sign the new Las Vegas regime is willing to play ball. One season remains on Miller’s deal, and he saw a few of his LT peers (Dion Dawkins, Taylor Decker, Garett Bolles) extended in their contract years. Those deals helped bump Miller ($18MM AAV), with assists to Ronnie Stanley and Alaric Jackson‘s March re-signings, to the 13th-highest-paid player at his position. The team did not use a first-round pick on a tackle, a rumored scenario, but did add developmental option Charles Grant (William & Mary) in Round 3.
- Alex Cappa is expected to start after signing a two-year deal, and Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline places the ex-Buccaneers and Bengals blocker at right guard. That is unsurprising, as Cappa has started for six years and never taken a left guard snap. The Raiders have Jackson Powers-Johnson, Jordan Meredith and Dylan Parham competing for interior jobs as well. All three are expected to have a say in the center battle, with third-round rookie Caleb Rogers also in this mix as well.
- The Chargers did not use a draft pick on an O-lineman until Round 6 (Pittsburgh’s Branson Taylor). The Day 3 draftee will play guard, but the Bolts still have Trey Pipkins in place as their left guard frontrunner, ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes. This points to Mekhi Becton moving from Eagles RG to the same spot in Los Angeles and Zion Johnson‘s rumored center foray closer to reality. This would create a logjam at center, as the Bolts signed longtime starter Andre James after his Raiders release. That said, James agreed to only a one-year, $1.17MM deal (zero guarantees). It would seem James and the re-signed Bradley Bozeman give L.A. some insurance at center, should Johnson remain at LG over Pipkins. James and Becton have provided flexibility the team did not have in 2024.
- Two Charger starters recently underwent surgeries. Daiyan Henley played through a torn labrum last season, per Rhim, but the linebacker is recovering from surgery. The injury occurred in Week 4, but the former third-round pick did not miss a game. Recently re-signed safety Elijah Molden missed the end of last season due to injury, but The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes he is expected back for camp on time after a surgery.
Chargers Re-Sign C Bradley Bozeman, P J.K. Scott
For the second time, Bradley Bozeman has reached an agreement to re-sign with a team. After the Panthers reupped the veteran center in 2023, he is sticking with the Chargers.
The Bolts re-signed Bozeman and punter JK Scott on Monday. Bozeman, 30, played for just $1.13MM with the Chargers last season. The Panthers had given him a raise in 2023, but after playing for the veteran minimum last season, Bozeman may not match the $6MM-per-year deal he was previously on as a Panther.
Despite Bozeman’s low-end contract, he started 17 games for the Chargers. That marked the former Raven’s second straight season of perfect attendance. Pro Football Focus was not particularly complimentary of Bozeman’s initial Chargers year, ranking him 29th among center regulars. That came after the advanced metrics website placed him 21st in 2023.
Los Angeles may not be eyeing Bozeman as a starter once again. GM Joe Hortiz said recently (via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper) that former first-round pick Zion Johnson will be tried at center this offseason. The Bolts, who had previously relocated Trey Pipkins from tackle to guard, have used Johnson as a starting guard — both LG and RG — in each of his three seasons.
Hortiz expressed confidence Johnson could make the transition, despite not playing center at Boston College, either. While Pipkins remains on Los Angeles’ roster, he profiles as a cut candidate, Popper adds. The Chargers could save $6.75MM by releasing the converted tackle, who has been with the team since 2019.
A seven-year veteran, Scott has been the Chargers’ punter for the past three seasons. The 29-year-old specialist has averaged just north of 46 yards per punt in each of the past two seasons.
Chargers’ Zion Johnson Set To Play LG In 2023
The Chargers have devoted considerable resources to their offensive line in recent years, including the addition of guard Zion Johnson in last year’s draft. The former first-rounder is slated to build off his rookie season in a more familiar spot.
Johnson is expected to play left guard in 2023, as noted by Daniel Popper of The Athletic (subscription required). That was his most effective position at Boston College, and moving back to it (after spending his rookie campaign at right guard) will pair him with Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater on the left side of Los Angeles’ offensive front.
In 2022, Johnson was an immediate RG starter and logged 1,184 snaps. The 23-year-old allowed five sacks and 40 pressures, however, leading to an underwhelming pass blocking PFF grade. His evaluation in the run game was better, though, and playing between Slater and former All-Pro center Corey Linsley could result in a signficant step forward in Year 2 for Johnson. Expectations will be high for the latter after the Chargers used the No. 17 selection on him in 2022.
Johnson was not a full participant in minicamp, Popper adds, meaning a minor injury occurred in the spring. The 6-3, 313-pounder is expected to be fully healthy in time for training camp next month, however, which will set him up for a season in which he will be a key member of the Chargers’ offense. That unit was among the league’s best in terms of passing production last season, but they struggled mightily on the ground with an average of just 89.6 rushing yards per contest.
Overall, the Chargers’ projected starting O-line, based on spring practices, consists of Slater, Johnson, Linsley, 2022 LT fill-in Jamaree Salyer at right guard and Trey Pipkins at right tackle. If healthy, that group could put together a strong campaign and prove the team’s commitments in them to be fruitful, and Johnson figures to have a central role in that regard. His attention will be on recovery in the coming weeks, and a transition to a new (NFL) position overall heading into the 2023 campaign.
Chargers Sign First-Round G Zion Johnson
Nearly every first-round pick this year has come to terms on his four-year agreement (feat. the fifth-year option). The Chargers became the latest team to lock down their top draftee, signing Zion Johnson on Friday.
A standout guard from Boston College, Johnson was the second interior offensive lineman off the board this year — following only Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green, who went 15th overall to the Texans. This year’s No. 17 overall pick will be expected to play immediately for a Chargers team that loaded up on filling needs this offseason.
Johnson transferred to Boston College after spending two years at Davidson. He blocked for four 1,000-yard rushers while in college, most notably A.J. Dillon‘s 1,645-yard season in 2019. Boston College stationed Johnson at left tackle during the 2020 season, and he earned first-team All-American honors at guard last year, joining Green and fellow first-round O-linemen Ikem Ekwonu and Tyler Linderbaum on the Associated Press’ top team.
The 6-foot-2 blocker should be ticketed to be the Bolts’ right guard starter in Week 1. The team has its left side of the O-line addressed, with 2021 first-round pick Rashawn Slater thriving as a rookie alongside free agent pickup Matt Feiler, and Corey Linsley has the center post locked down. Los Angeles will likely still search for a right tackle, its weakest O-line spot last season, but Johnson fills a key need for what is expected to be a rising AFC contender.
All but five first-round picks have signed their rookie contracts. Only Linderbaum, fellow Ravens pick Kyle Hamilton, Patriots guard Cole Strange and Seahawks tackle Charles Cross remain unsigned.