Quentin Johnston: Everything you need to know

The Chargers exercised Johnston's fifth-year option for the 2027 season Tuesday. The No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 Draft, Johnston has gotten his career on track after what was a subpar rookie season. Across 29 regular-season games over the past two seasons, Johnston has secured 106 of 175 targets for 1,446 yards and 16 touchdowns as Justin Herbert's top downfield perimeter wideout. Johnston has improved his yards-per-catch average every season and finished 21st in the NFL at 14.4 yards per reception during the 2025 campaign. With Keenan Allen still unsigned, there's room for Johnston's role to grow this upcoming season.

Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said Thursday that Johnston isn't on the trade block, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports. "There's a lot of rumors out there on Twitter," Hortiz said. "And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I've had zero calls regarding Quentin." Johnston is heading into the fourth year of his rookie contract, and the Chargers have until May 1 to decide whether to pick up the 2023 first-round pick's $18.1 million fifth-year option for 2027. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver has recorded eight touchdown catches in each of the last two regular seasons, but Johnston has struggled with drops throughout his NFL career.

Johnston secured three of six targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 16-3 loss to the Patriots in the wild-card round. Johnston finished second on the Chargers in terms of targets behind Keenan Allen (eight), but like the rest of Los Angeles' pass-catching offense which Ladd McConkey led with just 32 receiving yards, he was inefficient versus New England's defense. Still, during the regular season Johnston demonstrated improved chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert, as the 2023 first-round pick managed a respectable 51-735-8 receiving line (84 targets) across 14 regular-season appearances. He was hampered by shin, hamstring, groin and shoulder injuries during the second half of the season. Johnston will look to take another step forward in 2026, which is currently positioned as the final year of his rookie deal with the Chargers, though the team could exercise his fifth-year option this offseason.