The Los Angeles Chargers aren't going to be true sellers at the trade deadline—at least if we can believe all the signs and statements Joe Hortiz has been giving to insiders over the last couple of weeks.
The trade deadline is tomorrow, Nov. 10, and every indication from the Chargers organization has been that they're unwilling to strip back this roster in order to amass additional draft capital for this offseason. While their blowout loss yesterday to the Houston Texans could, theoretically, change that stance, why would it?
We were already fully aware of how uncompetitive this team is. Another loss doesn't truly change the landscape for this team—0-8 isn't ultimately that different from 0-7.
But even if Los Angeles was willing to entertain some suitors at the deadline, it doesn't feel like moving off of Quentin Johnston would be an option. The Chargers picked up his fifth-year option this offseason, meaning they'll owe him close to $16.5 million next year, and his production in 2026 hasn't even come close to justifying that. Convincing a team to take that sort of salary on for a player that routinely struggles to gain separation and hold onto the ball when he's targeted would be a tall task, to say the least.
And if they can't move him at the deadline to a team desperate for extra pass-catching weapons, their chances of moving him this offseason look even slimmer. The most likely scenario, then, is that the Chargers are stuck footing a hefty bill for Johnston in 2027.
The Chargers have almost no pathway to moving off of Quentin Johnston's fifth-year option
Now, Johnston did show some encouraging signs last year in Greg Roman's offense, and perhaps his lack of production can be blamed on the overall failures of Mike McDaniel's passing game.
But still, Johnston's production last season was largely limited to spurts at the beginning and end of the season. Across the first four games of 2025, Johnston posted 22 receptions for 337 yards and four touchdowns. Then, as the offense went sideways, so did he—between Weeks 5 and 14, Johnston posted just 20 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
But through seven games this season, things have looked worse than ever. McDaniel's scheme was always going to be dependent upon Johnston's ability to create separation as a deep threat and capitalize on his opportunities after the catch, and apart from some isolated explosive plays, that simply hasn't happened. Johnston's amassed just 13 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown across his first seven games of the season.
There are teams that are willing to take on former first-round talents who haven't panned out yet, especially at the skill positions. We saw the Houston Texans do it just a few weeks ago by nabbing Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals. But the difference is that Harrison still has an extra year of cost-controlled rookie contract play under his belt. The Texans, at the very least, have the flexibility of declining his fifth-year option.
By picking up Johnston's option, the Chargers effectively removed him from the board as a trade candidate. Fetching even a potential third or fourth-round pick for him right now feels like an impossible task, and it's hard to think that this offense will provide him with enough opportunities to revive his value in time to be a factor in this offseason's trade market.
Los Angeles does have the cap space to handle Johnston's extra year. But this wide receiver room needs to be addressed with their remaining money, as does the interior of the offensive line, the cornerback room, and perhaps even the pass rush (depending on Khalil Mack's future). The Chargers will also likely extensions for Daiyan Henley and Tuli Tuipulotu taking effect next season.
If Johnston can't turn himself into a consistent producer for this offense, that $16.5 million simply represents a number the Chargers need to work around as they balance their books for 2027. And that's not close to an ideal outcome for a former first-round selection.
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