Chargers GM not a fan of first-round pick backflips

Quentin Johnston Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers GM not a fan of backflips, at least not from his first-round pick

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/28/23

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco averted possible disaster on Friday during the team's introduction of first-round pick wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Johnston told reporters he was so happy to be drafted by the Chargers that he didn't know whether to "smile, do a backflip or cry." After confirming that he could indeed do a backflip, ESPN's Lindsey Thiry urged Johnston to perform one in front of reporters. That led Telesco to bolt into action, shouting, "No, no, no, no," from the back of the room.

Quentin Johnston on getting drafted: "I didn't know whether to smile, do a backflip or cry."

I asked if he can actually do a backflip. "100 percent," he said.

Then @LindseyThiry asked if he could do one right now.

Tom Telesco from the back of the room: "No, no, no, no."
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) April 28, 2023

There's no way of knowing how Telesco feels about backflips, but one thing is for sure, that's a no-fly zone for Johnston after the team selected him 21st overall during Day 1 of the NFL Draft.

While some might feel Telesco's panic was overly cautious, it's hard to fault his reaction. After all, one can only imagine the circus that would surround the team had Johnston attempted a backflip and somehow injured himself. Furthermore, allowing it to happen in plain sight would not have been the best look for Telesco. Luckily for the Chargers, the scenario did not come to pass

All kidding aside, after a standout career at TCU, the Chargers hope the 6-foot-4 wideout will provide quarterback Justin Herbert with a big, game-breaking target. With his size and ability, Johnston fits the prototype at receiver that the Chargers seem to fancy.

In 2022, Johnston finished third in the Big 12 in receiving yards (1,069) and fifth in receptions (60) while averaging 17.8 yards per-catch with six touchdowns.

Johnston is already a part of NFL history before taking a professional snap. Selected by the Chargers with the No. 21 overall pick, Johnston was one of four wideouts chosen from pick Nos. 20-to-23 on Thursday night, with Jaxson Smith Njigba (Seahawks), Zay Flowers (Ravens) and Jordan Addison (Vikings) the others who were swept off the board in that space. According to ESPN Stats and Info, it was the first time in the Common Draft era (1967) that four receivers have been selected consecutively in the first round.

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