The Los Angeles Chargers lost to the Houston Texans on Saturday, ending their winning streak and cementing their fate as an AFC Wild Card team heading into the playoffs.
Yet in the course of another sub-par offensive day from the team as a whole, Quentin Johnston put together an excellent performance. He caught five of his eight targets for 98 yards and played a major role in the offense for the second straight week.
Over his last two games, Johnston has amassed 202 yards, nine receptions, and a touchdown on just 13 targets. With the question about his fifth-year option looming over this offseason, he has sent a crystal clear message to the organization about his potential as an offensive playmaker.
Quentin Johnston is still one of the Chargers' most lethal playmaking threats when they can get him involved
Since being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the early portions of Johnston's career have been defined by inconsistency. He has had notable drops in big games, and, across his first two seasons, he never quite seemed to find his footing as a primary target for Justin Herbert.
Early into the 2025 campaign, however, it seemed as though things had changed. Through his first four games, Johnston amassed 22 receptions for 337 yards and four touchdowns on 36 targets. From there, his production dropped off a cliff.
Over his next eight games, he saw just 35 targets. While his offensive snap rate remained relatively high, he had multiple games in which he posted single-digit yards on the stat sheet.
With the pass game suffering and Tre' Harris taking on a larger role in the offense, it was possible that a slow end to the season for Johnston could see him sent away from the team this offseason.
Los Angeles will still have a big decision to make concerning whether or not they will commit to Johnston for a fifth season. Yet over his past two games, he has issued a poignant reminder to the organization.
With his size and strength, he is capable of being the Chargers' most dynamic receiver when he's right. He can make contested catches, earn yards after the catch, and reach top speed at a surprisingly blistering rate.
The team will possibly rest the starters in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos. If they do so, this will be the final impression that Johnston gives the team before this offseason.
The organization must only determine if they believe it to be real or not.