Chargers WR Quentin Johnston could 'break' the team's 2024 season with struggles, according to analyst
The Los Angeles Chargers look much different this season compared to the last. They have a proven head coach with experienced staff pieces around him. They've got young talent, but some of it has been untapped. Is there a player for the Chargers that must step up in order to change the entire 2024 for […]
The Los Angeles Chargers look much different this season compared to the last. They have a proven head coach with experienced staff pieces around him. They've got young talent, but some of it has been untapped.
Is there a player for the Chargers that must step up in order to change the entire 2024 for Jim Harbaugh's new team? One analyst believes so, and his explanation makes plenty of sense.
Quentin Johston could make or break Chargers' 2024 season
Nick Shook of NFL.com highlighted a handful of players around the league that can dramatically change the trajectory of their team's season and future beyond. Johnston made the list.
The Chargers’ receiver exodus should bode well for a second-year player at the position, but judging by what we saw from Johnston as a rookie, I’m far from confident he’ll capitalize at this point. Johnston struggled to make a play — any play — in his first season, catching just 38 of his 67 targets for 431 yards and two touchdowns and falling short of expectations set for a typical first-round receiver. Sure, he didn’t have Justin Herbert for a good portion of his debut campaign, but Johnston also wasn’t special. And now that the Chargers have attempted to remake their receiver room with the likes of rookies Ladd McConkey (keep an eye on him), Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson, it’s high time for Johnston to blossom. At this point, I expect McConkey to outperform him, but what Johnston absolutely cannot afford is another season like his first. He needs to play a bigger role in this offense in order for the Bolts to succeed — and to prevent Los Angeles from seeking more help elsewhere in 2025.
Shook is absolutely right.
The Chargers WR depth chart is lacking proven talent, and rookie WR Ladd McConkey may be the most exciting option on there as of now. D.J. Clark is a veteran with some good play left in the tank, but Johnston is a former first-round pick.
The team has not given up on him whatsoever, but last year was a struggle for him, overall. With a new offensive staff in the building, there's hope that Johnston can bounce back to be a key piece to the offense for Justin Herbert.
The Chargers have some veteran pieces around their offense, but some growth from Johnston is necessary. Justin Herbert has to be able to trust him as a former first-round pick. If he cannot, it won't be a good outlook for the rest of his NFL career.
Los Angeles needs the young wideout to play well in 2024 if they want to improve upon a frustrating 2023.
Los Angeles Chargers WR Ladd McConkey is already connecting with Justin Herbert at OTAs
The Los Angeles Chargers got Herbert the perfect weapon.
