This offseason, as the Los Angeles Chargers face a number of tough free agent decisions (albeit with just north of $110 million in cap space at their disposal), they will need to choose a defined path for the future of this team under Jim Harbaugh.
According to Bill Barnwell at ESPN, this leaves third-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston under a sort of microscope for the remainder of this regular season. Johnston was drafted prior to the installation of the Harbaugh regime, and a dip in production since the first few weeks of the season could leave the team in a tough spot in determining whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option.
"If Johnston has a blistering end to the season, the Chargers could pick up the option or even talk about an extension. If there are more zeroes in his game log, a declined option or a trade seem more likely."Bill Barnwell
Quentin Johnston has talent, but it may best be utilized elsewhere
Over his first two seasons, almost no young skill position player received more undue ire than Johnston did. While his drops were an issue, and were highly publicized, he has always presented a sizable receiving threat with the potential talent to operate effectively out of the slot.
At the start of this season, it seemed as though he was finally starting to climb toward this potential. Through the Chargers' first five games, Johnston amassed 26 receptions on 40 targets, going for 377 yards and four touchdowns.
Although Johnston still needed to compete for targets with Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, it appeared that he was gaining the trust of Justin Herbert and the coaching staff on a weekly basis.
Yet, since that time, his production has fallen off a cliff. In the seven games he's played since he missed Week 6 with a hamstring injury, he's garnered only 31 targets, totalling only 16 receptions for 156 yards. While his snap share has remained much the same, the prominence of his role in the offense has greatly decreased as has his effectiveness when he has been targeted.
Although the Chargers have abundant financial flexibility this offseason, there are a number of other, more glaring needs they need to address in the draft and free agency. The interior offensive line needs serious help, and the free agencies of both Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh will need to be addressed on the defensive side of the ball.
Were Los Angeles to pick up the fifth-year option, which would keep Johnston with the team through 2027, they would be guaranteeing him $17.5 million on the final year of his rookie contract. For a player that has not proven he can provide consistent production to an offense that desperately needs it, that's a hefty price.