Chargers News: Pro-Bowl Lineman Motivates Zion Johnson to Improve
The Los Angeles Chargers knew they needed to do all they could to protect their franchise quarterback Justin Herbert after his Offensive Rookie of the Year season.
LA wasted no time taking Rashawn Slater with their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and took another offensive lineman, Zion Johnson, in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. LA has two guys who will set the foundation on the line and protect Herbert at all costs.
Slater has paved a great path in his only two-year career, going on three. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and was primed for another great season in 2022 before only playing three games after suffering a season-ending bicep injury.
With Slater being out, it was up to Johnson to fill his shoes and shine bright in his first season. According to PFF, he received an overall grade of 64.8; however, he will look to be better and should, as his fellow lineman will be back from injury in Slater.
In 2023, the two will look to push each other and become one of the best lines in the game. Johnson spoke to the media and praised Slater and how these two together can make some noise in the trenches.
"Rashawn is just a great leader. A great, talented offensive lineman. He's a guy who can recover really well and make things that … whether we're in a bad situation … he can recover and make things right. So, it's just great playing next to him. He just has like a hunger and a thirst to get better. Playing with Pip [Trey Pipkins III], he had those aspects as well. But Rashawn having that level of success and only wanting to get better, it kind of forces you to be at that level with him and try to be as good as he is."
The two together should be like a brick wall to defenders. With Johnson moving to left guard with Slater at left tackle, Herbert should have nothing to worry about in his blind slide.
LA's offensive linemen should be the best in the league, thanks in large part to the two youngsters on the left side. Let's not forget their veteran center Corey Linsley, right guard Jamaree Salyer, and right tackle Trey Pipkins III.
This will be a fun season.
