Chargers coach delivers definitive response on wide receiver's starting status

Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal met with the media after Tuesday's OTA session.

For the first time since the draft, Lal was asked about wide receiver Quentin Johnston's role after LA brought in several other wide receivers this offseason. The team signed wide receiver Mike Williams in free agency while taking Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the 2025 NFL Draft.

On how Johnston has responded to those moves, Lal had this to say about his young receiver.

"Water off the duck's back. I haven't seen anything," Lal said. "I told him he's the starter. Because he is. And he's operating that way."

"Every year they're going to bring competition in."

Johnston has more than proven his starting role despite competition

Johnston had 55 receptions for 711 yards last year and eight touchdowns. While he still had his ups and downs, the 2024 season was a marked improvement from his rookie campaign. Lal said his one expectation for Johnston in 2025 is that he "keeps ascending".

Lal also poured some cold water on the hopes of the competitors trying to take Johnston's snaps and reps. On Williams, he said that he was a veteran whom the team could rely on. But he also mentioned that it is too early in the offseason process to define a role for him yet.

Harris and Lambert-Smith might be further away from large roles in the offense than fans and media perceive. Lal said that neither rookie was in the physical shape that the team expects of their wide receivers.

"They're behind physically," Lal said. "They've been on the banquet circuit, going on 30 visits, etcetera. So their fitness is not like our other guys. We're bringing them along slowly. But I have seen the skillsets we drafted, those are showing up. Just gotta get them more in shape."

For the time being, Johnston will still be in the mix to start the 2025 season for the Chargers. How he performs early on will be a rather big factor in if he's able to hold off competition from Harris, Williams, and Lambert-Smith.