There was a spattering of Quentin Johnston trade rumors this offseason that LA Chargers GM Joe Hortiz nipped in the bud before the 2026 NFL Draft. On Tuesday, Hortiz and the Chargers put their money where their mouth is, exercising Johnston's fifth-year rookie option for the 2027 season.
Johnson's fifth-year option is projected to be worth $18 million and will be fully guaranteed. The Chargers were in the same situation last offseason with Zion Johnson and opted to decline his fifth-year option. Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns this offseason.
This decision may come as a surprise to some given the trade rumblings and how much Johnston strugged early in his career. However, in reality, this is exactly the move the Chargers should have made all along, and makes perfect sense in the grand scheme of the wide receiver market.
Chargers picking up Quentin Johnston's fifth-year option was always a no-brainer
Would the Chargers sign Johnston to a multi-year deal worth $18 million if he were to hit free agency right now? Absolutely not. Hortiz doesn't operate at the top of the free-agent market. If he didn't pay Odafe Oweh $25 million per year, he wouldn't pay Johnston $18 million.
But there is a huge difference between a multi-year commitment and a one-year, fully guaranteed option. This is not a multi-year commitment that could impact future years. This is a one-year bet on Johnston to continue the development he has seen the last two years.
Plus, the Chargers weren't bidding against anyone. Free agency raises prices because of interested parties. Because the wide receiver market is so robust, the Chargers absolutely would have paid far more than $17.5 million a year to re-sign QJ to a multi-year deal; even if it was an overpay.
Picking up his fifth-year option buys the Chargers another year. The Bolts don't have to worry about extension talks this offseason and don't have to replace him next offseason if he walks. Instead, the Chargers are rolling into the 2026 season knowing that QJ, Ladd McConkey, and Tre' Harris are going to be the primary wide receiver corps for the next two years.
It will be no harm, no foul if Johnston fails to develop and remains stagnant in the coming years. Sure, it might be a slight overpay on paper for his production in 2027, but it's not egregious and the Chargers have the means. That's better than declining his option and facing a tougher multi-year decision next offseason.
At $18 million, Johnston will be the 22nd-highest paid receiver in the league in 2027 alongside Jordan Addison. That's more than fair for a recent first-round pick who arguably hasn't touched his ceiling yet.
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