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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston
Due to the amount of injuries sustained, the Los Angeles Chargers‘ offense was tough to evaluate in 2025.
Offensive tackles Rashawn Slate and Joe Alt, along with running back Najee Harris, all suffered season-ending injuries. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton spent time on injured reserve, and quarterback Justin Herbert played with a fracture in his left hand during the final month of the season. Herbert was also sacked a whopping 60 times.
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a disappointing sophomore season, regressing his totals from his rookie year in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Are injuries squarely to blame, or is there a deeper problem? The folks over at Bleacher Report recently proposed a rare player-for-player trade scenario for the Chargers, featuring another one of their receivers.
Los Angeles Chargers Urged to Trade WR Quentin Johnston
Here are the terms of the suggested trade, with analysis from Alex Ballentine:
Chargers Receive: WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Colts Receive: WR Quentin Johnston, 2027 fifth-round pick
“Quentin Johnston has struggled to live up to expectations as a former first-round pick with the Chargers. Michael Pittman Jr. was passed by Alec Pierce in Indianapolis this season. A change of scenery for both receivers could be good for all involved. Pittman might not have been Daniel Jones’s preferred target in Indy this season, but he has two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume.
“Jim Harbaugh should like his blocking ability as well. Johnston has eight touchdowns in each of his last two seasons, but he’s going to be due for a contract extension after this season. The Chargers might see this as a good time to leverage his production to upgrade the spot in a trade. Pittman’s physicality would fit into Jim Harbaugh’s ethos and the Colts would free up $24 million in cap space to secure Pierce’s contract extension.”
After a disappointing rookie year in 2023, Johnston has put two good season together in a row. He caught eight touchdowns in 2024 and 2025, as well as a combined 106 catches for 1,446 yards. The receptions and yardage totals may not be those of a No. 1 receiver, but they certainly aren’t poor.
Good Deal for Colts, Bad for Chargers
GettyLA Chargers WR Quentin Johnston
It wouldn’t be crazy for Los Angeles to deal Johnston if the right opportunity came along, but this isn’t it. Pittman’s arrow is pointing down, as his reception and receiving yards totals have significantly declined each of the past two seasons. He got back on track in the touchdown department with a career high seven in 2025, but that’s still short of Johnston’s eight.
Pittman is also four years older than Johnston, and carries a nearly $20 million higher salary cap hit. The Chargers may choose to extend Johnston at some point, but that could still be a couple of years away. With other more pressing needs throughout their roster, there is no reason for the Chargers to give that type of money to a receiver who may not even be an upgrade.
The proposed trade also features Los Angeles giving up a draft pick, which seems very unnecessary. If the Chargers really want to improve their wide receiver corps, they should swing big with an attempt at A.J. Brown, Brian Thomas Jr., or George Pickens. They could also save their money and use their No. 22 overall pick in the draft on a receiver.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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