Since being taken by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 21st overall pick, wide receiver Quentin Johnston and the word "elite" haven't often been used in the same sentence.
But a day after the TCU alum showed out in practice with a pair of lengthy and highlight-worthy touchdown receptions, one going for 58 yards and the other for 25, that's exactly the word head coach Jim Harbaugh used to describe his much-maligned pass-catcher on Tuesday, also using the same word to describe Ladd McConkey, which was a much more frequent thing a season ago.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh says Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey are playing at an elite level in camp so far.
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) July 22, 2025
Other WRs he mentions first in order after Williams' retirement: Reagor, Harris, KLS
Jim Harbaugh slaps elite tag on Chargers WR Quentin Johnston
Has Johnston been adequate over his first two seasons? Sure. But with 93 receptions for 1,142 yards and 10 touchdowns, he certainly hasn't lived up to his draft status. And when you look at what the receivers taken directly before and after him in 2023, things look even worse.
The No. 20 overall selection that year was Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who's notched 163 receptions for 1,758 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks. And the No. 22 overall pick, Zay Flowers, has amassed 151 catches for 1,917 yards and nine touchdowns for the Baltimore Ravens. Both earned a trip to the Pro Bowl last season, by the way.
Even No. 23 overall pick Jordan Addison has put up better numbers for the Minnesota Vikings, posting 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns. And that's playing second fiddle to Justin Jefferson.
So, it's easy to see why Johnston has been viewed as a massive disappointment thus far. Yes, McConkey hit the scene last year and dazzled as a rookie, posting 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven scores. So, Johnston lost out on some targets.
That said, however, that could perhaps be due to Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Greg Roman, and even quarterback Justin Herbert not trusting him to make plays at times.
Look, it's not as if Johnston isn't capable of big games, as he had a pair of triple-digit performances in 2024, going for 118 yards and a touchdown on four catches against the Cleveland Browns in Week 9 and a career-high 186 yards on a career-best 13 grabs in the Chargers' regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.
But he then followed that career day up with zero catches and a pair of drops on five targets in the team's embarrassing 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.
This is undoubtedly a make-or-break kind of a season for Johnston. And with the sudden retirement of Mike Williams, the Bolts need more big games from him than they've gotten thus far. Chargers fans simply have to hope that these recent "elite" performances in practice translate to moments that actually matter.