One of the biggest questions the Los Angeles Chargers faced was who would replace the production of now-departed wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
The team put together a rag-tag ensemble of free agents and draft picks. The most curious case though was Quentin Johnston. After being drafted 21st overall in the 2023 draft, he struggled to find his footing in his rookie season.
Chargers vs. Panthers: Johnston’s Breakout Performance Highlights First Half
He ended up playing the second most snaps of any Chargers wide receivers but produced just the fourth most targets and receptions. He finished the year with 38 receptions, 431 yards and two touchdowns. What was even more painful for Chargers fans were his game-changing drops, most notably one against the Green Bay Packers and another versus the New England Patriots.
Both games were lost by one score.
Throughout training camp, both players and coaches praised Johnston’s progress effusively. This could be seen as coach speak or preseason hot air, but Johnston’s performance against the Carolina Panthers is giving that praise legitimate credence.
In the first half, Johnston led all receivers with three receptions for 37 yards. Even more impressively, two of those catches were touchdowns, and of the 37 yards was a 29-yard bomb down the left sideline for the teams’ first touchdown of the game.
On the long touchdown, Johnston showed off his body control, ball-tracking skills, long-distance separation, and most of all the improvement to his hand, especially in a high-leverage situation. The Chargers’ win probability jumped to nearly 75 percent after that touchdown catch.
With his two-touchdown performance so far, he has matched his 2023 TD total. Johnston caught three passes for 38 yards in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
