Quentin Johnston
Getty
LA Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston
Since Jim Harbaugh has been hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Quentin Johnston has improved drastically. With the National Champion as head coach, Johnston improved his receiving yards and touchdown reception numbers.
While showing signs of improvement and his true first-round talent, that may not guarantee the wide receiver continues his career in the City of Angels.
According to ESPN insider Dan Graziano, the Bolts have yet to decide whether they will pick up the wide receiver’s fifth-year option.
Johnston, who was the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal and is set to have a cap hit of $4.5 million.
If the Chargers are to pick up his fifth-year option, Johnston would get a huge pay increase that would see him get around $18 million due to hitting the playing time quote.
Los Angeles has until May 1st to decide if they will pick up Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option.
Chargers GM On Wide Receiver Room
Joe Hortiz
GettyLos Angeles Chargers general manager gets honest about the WR group
While the Los Angeles Chargers are unsure about retaining Quentin Johnston for another year, general manager Joe Hortiz seems to have some faith in the wide receiver room as a whole.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio asked the GM about the possibility of adding Tyreek Hill to the offense and reuniting with Mike McDaniel, with Hortiz having positive words about the Bolts’ weapons.
“I love our receiver room as is right now. I think we have a lot of really talented, young players that are really going to grow and flourish,” Hortiz told Florio.
“But we’re never opposed to adding another one. So, we’ll continue to have discussions about that and see where it heads.”
The main concern for Johnston has been the number of drops he has had in his three-year career. According to Sports Reference, the wide receiver recorded 12 drops in his career, with a career high of seven drops in the 2024 season in Harbaugh’s first year.
Johnston reduced his drops to a career-low two in the 2025 season, showing signs of improvement.
There is still time for the Los Angeles Chargers to decide if they want to keep Quentin Johnston beyond four years.
Mike McDaniel On Bolts Position Players
Mike McDaniel
GettyMike McDaniel was hired as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers
Mike McDaniel mentioned that he is familiar with the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive players from the draft process when he was head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
“You can tell they aspire to be great. What’s more important than ever since I’ve been in the National Football League is you have to have a drive for maxing out your own abilities,” McDaniel said, via the Chargers.
“I think young players that have a love for football and an affinity for football and are willing to put in the work to be great, they have a chance to separate themselves in 2026 and beyond. I see all the young players here fit that merit.”
Quentin Johnston will have to impress the new offensive coordinator in the limited time they have before the May 1st deadline and receive a huge payday.