Chargers avoided huge controversy by taking Quentin Johnston with the 21st pick

The 2023 NFL Draft was a very interesting one for the LA Chargers as not many analysts knew exactly what the team was going to do in the first round. A big factor of the team's decision making was naturally going to be the first 20 picks but there were a myriad of directions the Bolts could have gone.

Perhaps the most popular theory — which ended up coming true — was that the Chargers would take a wide receiver with the 21st overall pick. The selection itself was still surprising as the Bolts took Quentin Johnston, who not many had mocked to the team before the draft.

It seemed like USC's Jordan Addison was the frontrunner to be taken by the Bolts at 21. After all, he was a local USC prospect who had legitimate ties to the Chargers' current coaching staff. That was all the reason in the world to take Addison but the team ultimately went with Johnston instead.

Now less than three months removed from the draft it appears that the Chargers avoided serious controversy. Addison, who ended up going 23rd overall to the Minnesota Vikings, was recently cited for reckless driving for going 140 MPH in a 55 MPH zone.

Chargers avoid controversy by taking Quentin Johnston over Jordan Addison

Of course, the most important thing is that nobody was hurt by Addison's speeding over the limit. That is far more important than anything football-related with the Chargers. But at the end of the day, this could give some insight as to why the Chargers passed on Addison in the first place.

Tom Telesco and Co. are big on bringing in players that are going to be positive locker-room influences. Very rarely does the team bring in any players with any sort of additional off-field baggage. Addison had nothing before this incident but who knows, these teams psycho-analyze these players and the Chargers could have been tipped off by something.

Addison was not arrested and details about the situation are fluid. Johnston and the rest of the Chargers rookies reported to training camp earlier this week.