ESPN analyst Matt Bowen highlighted Johnson as a potential fit for a new destination, but he also proposed a notable replacement option for Los Angeles. He suggested David Edwards, a former Rams fifth-round pick who won a Super Bowl with the team in 2021 and has spent the past three seasons with the Bills, as a strong potential fit for the Chargers’ left guard position. Edwards posted a 95% pass-block win rate in 2025 and has started 16 games in each of the last two seasons, with favorable movement traits at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds.
Bowen’s analysis indicates Edwards could offer a durable, high-quality upgrade over Johnson if the Chargers choose to pursue free-agent guards. Edwards ranked highly in both pass and run blocking grades per Pro Football Focus, positioning him as a long-term solution at left guard should Johnson depart. Johnson’s market value remains uncertain, given his first-round pedigree and age (26), and a return to the Chargers could not be ruled out if an upgrade proves elusive.
The broader discussion around the Chargers’ interior line includes the possibility of restructuring through free agency and the draft. While Los Angeles has ample salary cap space, they carry limited draft selections this April, which could influence how aggressively they pursue interior-line upgrades. The article originally published by Heavy Sports underscores the potential shift in the Chargers’ interior blocking unit and the strategic considerations involved in replacing a former first-round pick like Johnson.
In summary, the Chargers could see substantial changes inside the trenches in 2026, with Bozeman and Becton as potential cuts, Johnson as a pending free agent, and Edwards emerging as a plausible option to bolster the left guard position if Johnson departs. The situation remains fluid as free agency and the team’s draft strategy unfold.
