2023 First-Round Pick Facing the Heat, but Ready to Rise for Chargers in 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers entered this offseason with one glaring need: help at wide receiver. A big reason for that? The inconsistent play of former first-round pick Quentin Johnston, whose up-and-down performances have raised doubts about his long-term place in the offense. Though Johnston posted a respectable 55 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024, his performance was marred by drops and inconsistency. His no-show in the Chargers’ Wild Card loss to Houston — zero catches on five targets — left a sour taste in the mouths of fans and perhaps even the front office. It was the kind of playoff performance that gets remembered for all the wrong reasons.
That likely played a role in the Chargers doubling down at wideout this offseason. They drafted Tre Harris in the second round and KeAndre Lambert-Smith later on, while also bringing back veteran Mike Williams in free agency. The message was clear: the team wants more firepower and more reliability from the receiver room. Despite the competition, Chargers wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal isn't giving up on Johnston just yet. “Only one expectation: that he keeps ascending,” Lal told reporters at OTAs. “I can’t put a ceiling on it... He’s very much on the right track.”
Lal is not only confident in Johnston’s development, but he confirmed that Johnston is currently the starter heading into 2025. “I told him he’s the starter. Because he is, and he’s operating that way,” Lal said, adding that competition is a constant in the NFL and shouldn’t rattle a young player’s focus. It’s worth noting that neither of the rookie receivers is physically ready for a major role just yet. Lal pointed out that both Harris and Lambert-Smith arrived out of shape after a grueling pre-draft schedule filled with travel and appearances. “They’ve been on the banquet circuit, going on 30 visits, etcetera,” Lal explained. “So their fitness is not like our other guys... Just gotta get them more in shape.”
Meanwhile, Mike Williams, despite being a proven vet, is still working his way back into a defined role after an uninspiring 2024 campaign split between the Jets and Steelers. His 59.6 PFF grade was his lowest since his rookie year in 2017. That leaves the door wide open for Johnston to not just survive, but thrive. Entering year three and potentially a make-or-break season, Johnston has been putting in the work behind the scenes. Highlight clips from Chargers OTAs show him catching deep balls from Justin Herbert and appearing more confident in his routes and hands, an encouraging sign for a player who has struggled to shake the "bust" label.
The former TCU standout still has plenty to prove, but the physical tools remain. If he can iron out the mental side of the game and show more consistent hands, Johnston could not only hold off the competition, but he could cement himself as a key weapon in Jim Harbaugh’s revamped offense. However, if he doesn’t? Well, don’t be surprised if trade rumors start swirling again. For now, Quentin Johnston is WR No. Two in Los Angeles, and the Chargers are hoping he makes that label stick.
