Chargers WR Quentin Johnston is at an inflection point in his NFL career. After steadily improving over the last three seasons, it is decision time for Los Angeles. In May, the Chargers will have to decide on Johnston’s fifth-year option of $18 million. Should they decline it, he would be a free agent after the 2026 season.
$18 million is not necessarily a lot for WR2 adjacent money in general. But in terms of earning a new contract and staying with the Chargers over the long haul, Johnston hasn’t exactly earned that yet. He set career marks last season in yards (735) and touchdowns (8), but has still not had a 1000+ yard season.
Could the Chargers seek to sell high on WR Quentin Johnston in a trade?
Assuming the Chargers turn down the fifth-year option, GM Joe Hortiz will likely think of several scenarios. The Chargers could keep Johnston and eventually extend him. If he breaks out next season statistically, they could also let him walk in free agency for a comp pick.
In addition to those scenarios, Los Angeles could also look to trade him as an expiring contract. It’s obviously worth mentioning this factor as it was the case with LG Zion Johnson last offseason-the Chargers’ current regime did not draft Johnston in 2023.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicated that Johnston’s name has come up as a potential trade target in his latest report:
”Also, [A.J.] Brown isn’t the only receiver potentially available. Baltimore’s Rashod Bateman, Los Angeles’ Quentin Johnston, and Green Bay’s Dontayvion Wicks have come up in my talks. Teams have interest in Green Bay’s Jayden Reed, but I don’t sense the Packers would trade him at this point.”
Johnston being floated in trade talks would make some of the reported external wide receiver interest from the Chargers make sense. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini mentioned the Chargers keeping an eye on A.J. Brown in Philadelphia. Some have speculated about Colts WR Alec Pierce considering their surplus cap space. CBS insider Jonathan Jones linked them to free agent WR Mike Evans.
If the Chargers are considering trading their top X-receiver target, they’d likely have a few names in mind to replace him.
The dust will probably settle on the Brown saga in Philadelphia before other receivers start getting moved via trades. But DJ Moore got dealt for a second-round pick in what appears to be an inflated market. If the Chargers could get a high end day three draft selection for Johnston in this climate, they’d have to consider it.
It would be an avenue the team could explore to replenish their draft picks. A third, fourth, or fifth-round selection for Johnston would help as they only currently have five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
if the Bolts are turning down the fifth-year option on Johnston, exploring the trade market makes sense. They’ll have to weigh what they think Johnston can get as a comp pick next year vs. what they can get for him on the trade market right now. If some team is willing to give LA a high end day-three pick, they’d have to consider it.