Chargers GM believes former first-round pick is 'going to launch' this season

Under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers will likely have a run-first mentality on offense. 

However, that isn't stopping them from having high expectations for their second-year wide receiver who disappointed last season.

Los Angeles selected wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he underwhelmed with just 38 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.

General manager Joe Hortiz believes he's in store for a big 2024 season.

"He can do some rare things for a player his size. Jim was on the other sideline in one of his better games [in college], and so we've all seen it," Hortiz told Kay Adams on her "Up & Adams" podcast. "Everyone here has a high opinion of him. I believe he's really going to launch. I really do. His skill set is great. We're gonna work with him, make him better and better."

Los Angeles' decision to add several new faces to its wide receiver room says otherwise.

This offseason, the Chargers drafted Ladd McConkey with their second-round pick (No. 34) and Brenden Rice with their seventh-round pick (No. 225) in the 2024 NFL Draft. Then signed veteran DJ Chark Jr. in free agency.

Hortiz hints those additions were solely to make the room better, not to replace Johnston.

"You stack Ladd, Brenden Rice and Cornelius [Johnson], a couple free agents after the draft," Hortiz added. "So we've got a really good completive room. Adding DJ [Chark] is going to be huge, and so it's a really good room right now."

L.A. needed to completely rebuild its wide receiver room after trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and releasing Mike Williams, who has since joined the New York Jets.

It seems the Chargers are going to give Johnston a shot at becoming their No. 1 wide receiver, but Hortiz said Johnston will have to earn it.

"It's up to Quentin what he becomes," Hortiz concluded. "I'm not going to anoint Quentin as anything. ... but I believe his work ethic and his talent, he's got a high ceiling, for sure."