Who Should I Start? Quentin Johnston or Bucky Irving

Monday, March 23, 12:54 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers haven't publicly indicated that they are willing to part ways with wide receiver Quentin Johnston, and internally, they "believe in him," according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. The former first-rounder in 2023 struggled with drops and looked like a potential bust when general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh showed up in 2024. But instead of giving up on Johnston, they leaned into him and gave him a bigger role, which led to a breakout season with 55 catches, 711 yards, and eight touchdowns in 15 games played. He has led the team in touchdowns (eight) in each of the last two seasons and had a career-high 735 receiving yards in 2025. Even with Keenan Allen being a free agent, the Chargers have a log-jam at receiver after drafting both Tre' Harris and Keandre Lambert-Smith last year. Johnston's fifth-year option is due on May 1, which is projected to be at $18 million. If Johnston stays in L.A., he could be the clear WR2 for the Chargers in 2026 if Allen doesn't return. Despite being boom or bust the last two years, Johnston has become a much more intriguing deep threat in fantasy.