Quentin Johnson's rookie season with the Los Angeles Chargers was disappointing, and he received criticism for some drops in key spots, but with the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, along with the selection of tackle Joe Alt over Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze, Johnston will have a chance to prove himself as a key weapon for Justin Herbert in 2024. With Jim Harbaugh taking over at head coach of the Chargers, Johnston feels confident heading into his second year.

“Going into this year, I can confidently say that I'm far more ready for it this season. More confident,” Quentin Johnston said, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. “I feel like part of that was just with the first-year jitters still kind of feeling my way around everything. This year, I'm more confident.”

Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz previously said this offseason that he is looking for Johnston to “make the jump.” Johnston believes that having a year under his belt will have him better prepared to live up to the expectations of a former first-round pick, according to Alper.

Quentin Johnston's outlook for the 2024 with the Chargers

In 2023, Johnston caught 38 passes for 431 yards and two touchdowns. Early in the season, Johnston was not getting much run due to Allen and Williams' presence on the roster, so he had to battle for snaps due to the depth chart. Obviously, there is a wide open lane for him to get reps, although Los Angeles did select Ladd McConkey in the second round this year.

Later on in the year, Johnston did get some playing time, and there was a notable drop late in the loss against the Green Bay Packers that could have won the game, which caused him to catch a lot of flack. Still, one drop should not cause the team or fans to write him off for the long-term. It is also worth noting that Justin Herbert was injured later on in the season, so asking Johnston to put up numbers in that situation as a rookie is tough.

Looking at the current depth chart, Johnston seems to be a top three wide receiver alongside Joshua Palmer and Ladd McConkey. There are questions as to how many three wide receiver sets with Jim Harbaugh, who is known as a coach who loves to run the ball. It is a question as to how willing the Chargers will be to air it out this season. That means that if Johnston is third in the pecking order behind Joshua Palmer and McConkey, he might not get many opportunities in the passing game.

Regardless of those questions and a disappointing rookie season, Johnston is remaining confident going into his second year with the Chargers.