Quentin Johnston is one of the most polarizing players on the LA Chargers and has a bigger spotlight on him than any other player on the team. The former first-round pick has not lived up to expectations thus far and is entering what many believe is a make-or-break season.
Everything Johnston does during Chargers training camp is under a microscope. Any time he struggles during passing drills it is going to become a story. And while that might not seem fair, quite frankly, his play has warranted this treatment.
However, it's also worth pointing out when Johnston does the opposite during training camp. His successes should be equally as covered, and on Monday, Johnston turned in his best training camp showing yet.
have a day, QJ pic.twitter.com/CGa5X00Zs2
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 21, 2025
Quentin Johnston balls out at Chargers training camp on Monday
This is one of two deep touchdown passes that Johnston caught from Justin Herbert during training camp. Johnston caught a 58-yard and a 25-yard touchdown pass, both in a similar over-the-shoulder fashion.
Of course, two highlights in a practice setting aren't enough to win fans over. Johnston has to stack together great days until Chargers fans start to feel more comfortable. And even then, Johnston has to go out and actually prove it in a game setting.
Johnston has proven that he can have big moments for the Chargers. Heck, he ended the 2024 season with a 13-catch, 186-yard day against the Las Vegas Raiders. The ceiling is there, Chargers fans need to see consistency.
And the only way to prove that consistency in training camp is to do it day after day. One great day cannot be followed by a bad day. If this cycle continues to repeat, fans will never fully trust Johnston as they will always be worried about the other shoe falling.
Thankfully, this is a step in the right direction and the hope is that Johnston can build on it. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman called on Johnston to step up at X receiver after Mike Williams retired and it appears that the third-year wideout took that message to heart.
Johnston has to step up if the Chargers are going to succeed in 2025. The Bolts don't take a step forward unless Johnston takes a step forward, especially now that Williams is no longer in the picture.
Days like Monday are great to see and hopefully they serve as sneak previews into what is to come during the 2025 season. It's going to take many more days like Monday for Chargers fans to buy that possibility, though.