After a poor 2023 rookie season for Quentin Johnston, his career seemed to be massively derailed from the pre-draft expectations of the first-round selection.
Going into the 2024 off-season, Chargers fans were happy to see that offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was moving on, and a new regime will join the team. This would allow a refresh for Johnston, and allow him to be used in a manner that better suits his skill set.
Now with the 2024 regular season nearing its end, Johnston has shown promise when he is secure in his abilities, but the consistency in his security within himself is extremely erratic.
The former TCU receiver has a confidence crisis.
Quentin Johnston – Not Enough Improvement
The most controversial player on the entire team is the Chargers wide receiver who was drafted in the 2023 first round. That would be Quentin Johnston. Half of the fanbase wants him cut immediately and the other half are begging the other side to wait for his development and give him flowers for the improvement he has made this season.
Every time I see an NFL catch, I get mad at Quentin Johnston
— pinkpanther (@pinkpanther4056) December 3, 2024
The Promising Improvements From The 2023 First-Round Selection
The entire 2023 season, it was obvious that Johnston was being used incorrectly, which would directly hurt his play. Used as a traditional “X” receiver, who needs to beat press coverage and win contested catches.
If you watched a semblance of tape during his college career you would quickly come to the conclusion that is not how he should be used. He is a yards-after-catch threat who wins with crossing routes, timing routes, and quick screens.
Greg Roman, The Chargers Offensive Coordinator in 2024 was thought to raise the floor for Johnston and use him in a manner much closer aligning to what QJ does well.
This has been true to an extent, and we have seen some of the good from Johnston.
Quentin Johnston TOUCHDOWN
📺: #LACvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/OzD8IfKRTC— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Stats For Optimism (as of week 13 of the NFL season):
- 10th in YAC Per Reception
- 15th in Passer Rating when Targeted
- 19th in Average Depth of Target
- 13th in Yards Per Route Run (On Short Routes)
What He Needs To Get a Handle On
When you are drafted in the first round as a receiver, you are expected to make a difference in the passing game. Though Johnston has improved as a route runner, his hands crafted from a brick factory have yet to see major improvement.
Quentin Johnston is the AJ Brown of Nelson Agholors.
— Steak F (@steaakfriend) November 26, 2024
Johnston has benefitted from broken coverages and more targets due to this lackluster receiving corps. This has allowed him to triple his last season total of touchdowns. He has six on the season. All of which came against zone coverage.
Quentin Johnston scores his second TD today!
📺: #LACvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/8PCyFmqxj2— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
This improvement is nice, but Johnston still can’t make any sort of play on the ball. If there is a defender anywhere near him, the ball is not going to be caught. Johnston ranks 100/108 out of all qualifying receivers in contested catch rate percentage. 13 contested targets, three catches. He also is ranked LAST in the NFL in receiving grade against man coverage.
Quentin Johnston is ranked LAST in the NFL in receiving grade against man coverage.
Against zone coverage, Quentin Johnston has scored ALL six of his touchdowns.
Has a player ever been this drastically different between coverages?
— Nate Gosney (@NateGosney) December 5, 2024
The Quentin Johnston Confidence Issue
After a poor play by Johnston, it is obvious that his body language is dejected or frustrated. The majority of the issues with Johnston’s play are mental. He also allows his mistakes to compound and continue during the game, leading to more mistakes.
Quentin Johnston: Facing the Challenges Head On @LAC_Unleashed @MrJohnston____
Full Episode: https://t.co/OzrI7h1Syc pic.twitter.com/QhWsBrTTlP
— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) November 30, 2024
Trusting a player who is obviously dejected after every major error he makes is a slippery slope to be on. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is very intentional in his approach to his players. He knows that Johnston suffers from his lack of confidence and is extremely hard on himself. This is why with every chance he gets, he says good things about QJ.
Warms my heart to see Jim Harbaugh and the locker room rally around Quentin Johnston ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mrb4iw6AcY
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) September 15, 2024
This puts Harbaugh in a tough situation. When a player plays poorly, you are inclined to bench them. However, with Johnston, comes with the tag of high upside. He has obvious potential and if you stay the course, it could possibly lead you to the destination of a pro-bowl receiver who put all of his physical abilities together.
Part of achieving said pro-bowl talents is constantly uplifting and keeping Johnston on the field for the sake of his confidence. If you bench Johnston, who has been not good, you completely ruin his confidence, which would ruin his development. This would likely spell the end of growth for the Chargers wide receiver.
Last Word on Quentin Johnston & The Crisis in Confidence
As fans, we should appreciate that Johnston does truly care about his play and the success of the team. You couple this with his physical abilities and the good he has shown this season, there is optimism.
If you look at the bad, like the contested catch percentage, or the lack of ability to separate against man coverages, you have all the reasons to warrant a benching.
Both approaches have validity, but the way you affect Johnston and his confidence will have long-term effects on the team. The Chargers and Quentin Johnston have a confidence crisis.
Main Image: Gary A. Vasquez – USA Today Sports
