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Chargers WR Quentin Johnston has the breakout game fans have been waiting for and it came at the perfect time
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images

When the Los Angeles Chargers selected wide receiver Quentin Johnston at 22nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, they believed he was going to be their top wide receiver. Up until the season opener, Johnston had been nothing but a disappointment who hadn't realized his potential.

It was a really slow start for him as a rookie, catching just 38 passes on 65 targets for 431 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest thing was how he was inconsistent in catching the ball, with a 58.5 catch percentage and two calculated drops by Pro Football Focus.

2024 saw some improvement, but his catch percentage increased to 59.1%, and so did his drops to six. Many had already written off Johnston as an NFL Draft bust going into the 2025 season, and he took the worldwide stage to completely change the narrative on his career.

Quentin Johnston breaks out in São Paolo, Brazil

The Chargers have had miserable luck against the Kansas City Chiefs, but it changed pretty quickly. Johnston got his first catch of the game on the opening drive.

It was a very simple jet motion route to the flat, and it allowed Johnston to do what he does best: eat up yards after the catch. 39 of his 79 yards were after the catch, and that's how he thrived at TCU when he helped the Horned Frogs reach the National Championship Game.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh had a very simple quote when it came to Johnston. "Quentin, what a game."

It was really impressive to see Johnston just get the little things taken care of. He arguably could have had another touchdown, but the ball got on him a little bit quicker than he was expecting, and it grazed his fingertips. He stood out during the offseason, and his teammates took notice.

“He’s been incredible," said Justin Herbert in June. "He’s one of those guys that I’m going to get the ball to as much as possible.”

With Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen also having good games, the Chargers' passing offense could be a formidable one this year. It's especially so because Johnston has what nobody else on the Chargers has: the combination of size and speed.


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This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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