Chargers Shopping First-Round Pick; Trade Possible

The wide receiver market is exploding, and the Los Angeles Chargers could be trying to trade former first-round pick Quentin Johnston to any of the needy teams that missed out on a high-priced pass-catcher on the open market. Selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, the TCU product had a rough start to his career but has turned into an adequate option in the passing game. Starring alongside Ladd McConkey and veteran Keenan Allen, Johnston finished the 2025 season with 51 receptions for 735 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 targets.

Quentin Johnston might not ever live up to his first-round draft capital, but he’s a solid player who will likely draw some interest on the trade block. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Chargers are shopping him around, and nobody should be too surprised if one of the following three teams ends up securing his services.

3 Teams That Could Trade For Quentin Johnston, Ranked

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have one of the biggest competitive advantages in football: a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract. Drake Maye proved himself to be one of the game’s youngest stars last year, and now it’s time for the team to surround him with the tools to take home another Lombardi Trophy. While veteran Alijah Vera-Tucker will provide a much-needed boost to the offensive line, this team must add another respected receiver. Stefon Diggs is gone, and New England has yet to find a proper replacement. With most of the big-name free agents already off the board, the Patriots may consider a Quentin Johnston trade. The big-bodied receiver’s ability to win downfield could make him an ideal pairing with Maye’s rocket arm.

New York Jets

The New York Jets have one of the weakest rosters in football, and while they added plenty of reinforcements in free agency, they still have a long way to go before they’re ready to compete. The quarterback position is the most important part of any rebuild, and New York doesn’t have a clear path to a high-upside starter. With this in mind, they should do whatever they can to support whoever ends up under center next year. Garrett Wilson is a legitimate WR1, but this team must pair him with another starting-caliber receiver. Quentin Johnston shouldn’t cost too much in a trade, and the former first-round pick will help this offense become watchable in the upcoming season.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the game’s best receiving duos over the past few seasons, but all good things must come to an end. While A.J. Brown is technically still under contract with the team, it appears as though the team will trade him at some point in the coming weeks. This transaction, combined with Jahan Dotson’s departure, leaves Philadelphia perilously weak at the wide receiver position. Quentin Johnston is no A.J. Brown, but the former first-round pick is younger, cheaper, and shouldn’t cost as much in a trade. Philadelphia’s receiver depth chart won’t be as strong, but swapping Brown for Johnston should result in better draft capital and cash savings that can be used to bolster the rest of the roster.