There are several great rookie wide receivers making an impact across the NFL in 2023. Tank Dell has been a reliable playmaker for fellow first-year starter CJ Stroud with the Houston Texans. Jordan Addison has picked up WR1 duties with the Minnesota Vikings with Justin Jefferson sidelined. Zay Flowers emerged as the Baltimore Ravens’ top wideout in a punishing offense.
Then there’s Quentin Johnston, who we only ever seem to talk about when discussing his failures. Johnston, drafted ahead of all those guys with the 21st overall pick, was last seen here dropping what could have been a game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. On Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers lined him up with a shot at redemption.
It went poorly.
Quentin Johnston drops a perfect throw from Justin Herbert. Brutal pic.twitter.com/8BCYwwSa3e
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 3, 2023
Johnston could have converted third-and-long and set up a scoring opportunity that could have sealed the game against the New England Patriots’ putrid offense. Instead, he bobbled the ball before eventually ditching it out of bounds. One play after a perfect laser from perpetually frustrated young quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers were forced to punt.
Needless to say, fans and analysts weren’t happy.