Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh defends Quentin Johnston: 'He's one of our top guys'

Head coach Jim Harbaugh was blunt with the media after being asked about second-year LA Chargers' wide receiver Quentin Johnston at Wednesday's first training camp press conference.

After The Athletic's Daniel Popper asked what he had seen from Johnston, Harbaugh responded with this full quote:

"None of the things that you guys...not you, I know, let's just get that on the table. That was a misspeak by me like 'you, the media'. No, it's not that way. I just think he got a bad rap. I look at some of the clips coming out of training camp last year. You know, whatever it was, it just seemed like in somebody's mind he's been a disappointment. He hasn't been at all in my eyes.

I see a big, fast, strong, he's stronger, that's a piece that's really been addressed in the offseason with Coach Herbert. And Quentin, just getting stronger. At that speed, the agility, his ability to catch the ball, I mean I've seen him pluck it out of the air. He's as good as anybody doing it. But combining that speed and agility, getting that strength component to go along with it. He's gonna be a problem.

I've been nothing but happy with Quentin Johnston, Q. Still, I got a bad bruise from the semifinal game a few years ago. But everything I've seen in the offseason in practice, the way he trains. He's one of our top guys right now."

Jim Harbaugh calls Quentin Johnston one of the Chargers' top guys

Johnston's development is obviously one of the storylines of this Chargers' offseason and summer program. After struggling in his rookie season, many expect a second-year leap from the TCU star.

However, expectations amongst media members vary. Based on what he's seen in practices open to the media so far, Popper had Johnston outside of his top three wide receivers in 11-personnel formations in his projections. Johnston will be one of several Chargers' players looking to prove themselves to the new coaching staff.

Harbaugh was then asked if he felt Johnston was being too hard on himself in "adapting to the NFL". Johnston had a press conference during OTAs in which he mentioned still thinking about moments from last season, like the rather infamous Green Bay game. Harbaugh responded with this:

"If he is, that's a good thing. My advice and what I try to do with my own life is be my own worst critic. I don't look at that as a negative at all. But I think he's honest with it. All I care is that he's attacking everything he does. Everything in front of him.

Whether it's in the training environment, the meeting environment, the field environment, attacking everything we put in front of him and attacking it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind from what I've seen. We're seeing the results on the field. I got good feelings on how it's gonna work out for Quentin and our team."

Harbaugh then asked the media if he felt that his perception of Johnston getting a bad rap last year was correct:

"Am I wrong on that? Did he not get a bad rap? A bit unfair, a bum rap kinda early? I read some of those clips, maybe a jump ball and then they said he can't catch or something. I have not seen any of that whatsoever for the record. He's got NFL-caliber hands."

In Justin Herbert's press conference that followed, the Chargers' quarterback said that he agreed with Harbaugh's "bad rap" assertion and that the team expects big things from him this season.

Both Herbert and Johnston will be looking to build their connection and chemistry on the field going forward. With injuries and unexpected events that occurred throughout the Chargers' roster in 2023, it felt like the team relied too much on a raw prospect to be a bonafide X-receiver out of the gate.

Hopefully, Johnston can wipe the slate clean this season and "win" a more consistent role in the offensive structure from the coaching staff.

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