Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston was subject to trade rumors, with the possibility that he had played his last snap as a member of the Bolts.
General Manager Joe Hortiz had to shut down the rumors and clarify that Johnston would remain with the Chargers for his fourth season in the NFL.
“There’s a lot of rumors out there on Twitter,” Hortiz said. “And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I’ve had zero calls regarding Quentin.”
With Johnston returning, the question remained whether the former first-round pick would have his fifth-year option picked up by the team, with LA making an important decision on the WR after the draft.
Chargers Pick Up Quentin Johnston’s Fifth-Year Clause
GettyLA Chargers WR Quentin Johnston
ESPN insider Dan Granizano reported earlier in the offseason that the Los Angeles Chargers have yet to decide whether they will pick up Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option.
Following the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bolts announced they have exercised the fifth-year clause for the former 21st-overall selection.
All first-round draft picks have a fifth-year option clause that is determined by the teams.
Johnston will receive a pay bump and will make $18 million in his fifth year after reaching the playing-time threshold. The following three are the criteria to reach the boost in salary:
- 75% or greater in two of their first three seasons
- an average of 75% or greater over all three seasons
- 50% or greater over all three seasons
The wide receiver could have had a higher salary if he received a Pro Bowl nod once or more.
Johnston has improved season after season since being drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, in most major categories.
In the 2025 season, the wide receiver played his best, hauling in 735 yards and 8 touchdowns. In total, Johnston has registered 1,877 yards and 18 touchdowns. With steady improvement, it makes sense why the Chargers want the player for another season.
The Chargers’ decision to pick up Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option comes a few days before the May 1st deadline.
Chargers Take Wide Receiver In the 2026 NFL Draft
GettyThe Chargers draft a wide receiver during Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Before deciding to pick up Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option, the Los Angeles Chargers drafted Ole Miss wide receiver Brenen Thompson in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN analyst Field Yates called speedster one of the best draft values for the Bolts and one of the best values in the draft.
“If I could have picked an offensive coordinator for Thompson to begin his career with, Mike McDaniel would have topped the list. The fastest player at the combine (4.26 seconds), Thompson is a stick of dynamite in the passing game,” Yates wrote.
“Los Angeles will have to be careful as he was also the lightest at the combine (164 pounds), but he changes the dimensions of an offense by forcing safeties to play way deep in coverage.”
It appears that taking Thompson had no impact on the team’s decision to pick up Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option. But the wide receiver will add speed (and depth) to the Bolts’ receiving core.
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