Chargers GM Joe Hortiz addresses Quentin Johnston rumors

The Los Angeles Chargers have no intention of trading wide receiver Quentin Johnston ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

That's, at least, according to general manager Joe Horitz, who should be considered an expert on the matter.

"There's a lot of rumors out there on Twitter," Hortiz said on Thursday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. "And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I've had zero calls regarding Quentin."

It's worth noting that we're a week away from the draft, which is slated to kick off on Thursday evening, April 23 in Pittsburgh. The rumor mill can kick into high gear the closer we get to the draft.

Of course, Horitz is responding to the rumors about Johnston, who was the No. 21 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Chargers.

Los Angeles Chargers haven't picked up Quentin Johnston's fifth-year option yet 

The 6-foot-2, 208-pound wide receiver out of TCU is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal, and the Chargers have not yet made a decision about picking up his fifth-year option. He'll play on a $2.68 million salary in 2026 and would earn $18 million in 2027 if they do pick up that option.

That's a huge jump in salary for a player who has WR1 potential but seemingly plays more like a WR2.

That's why a trade may make sense for the Chargers. If they're not planning on picking up the fifth-year option, they could lose Johnston for nothing in free agency after this season.

With Ladd McConkey having a great season in 2025 and Tre' Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith heading into year two of their respective NFL careers, the Chargers could afford to trade Johnston if they feel they can get something worthwhile in return.

Notably, Horitz did talk up his wideouts in the same news conference, but part of his excitement has to do with Johnston.

"We're really excited about the wide receiver room," Hortiz said. "[Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel] has talked about it. Just development all those guys have made. All starting with [Johnston]. Watching him get better year after year after year."