As the NFL gets closer to the start of the 2026 Draft, lies (or as the government calls them, “misinformation”) flood every search engine and social media platform. A Quentin Johnston trade by the Los Angeles Chargers is no different, except in this case, the team did not create the lie. It’s become a normal practice, as teams get closer to making their picks, that they will play a game with the media and the trusted sources at the sports networks.

First, they will give a nudge and wink, and tell someone they know will leak the info that they are considering trading a player. Once the info has been floating around for a few days, the coach or GM will come out and say that they have no interest in trading that player. This announcement sounds something like this: “We have no interest at all in trading Player X. We think he is a building block for the teams future. Do not call our GM between 12:00 and 3:00 when he’s in the office and offer a high second round pick, because we aren’t interested.”

In the case of Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, though, the team isn’t blowing smoke about not wanting to trade Johnston, nor did they start the rumor that they were listening to offers. The fallacy was likely born out of the fact that the team has yet to pick up the fifth-year option of the 2023 first-round pick, which they have until May 1st to do. It is likely also tied to the emergence of Tre Harris late last year. No matter the reason, it’s clear that Johnston isn’t going anywhere.

Quentin Johnston Trade Makes No Sense

For starters the facts of the case are undeniable. Johnston has gotten better every season since he was drfated, and led the team in receiving touchdowns last season. He avewraged 13 yards per reception, is only going to be 25 years old, and his option is for a pittance ($18 million). Harris did play well last season, but in just nine games. The Chargers aren’t ready to load that basket with eggs. Keenan Allen was brought back after leading the team in receptions last season, but he is 33 years old.

It’s likely that Los Angeles will want to build around Johnston, Harris, and McConkey for the foreseeable future. The team has $47 million in cap space right now, and that jumps to $119 million in 2027 when the option would be in effect. It’s not even a blip on the salary cap radar. By com parison, if the team chooses not to pick up the option, and Johnston has another great year, and they need to franchise tag him, that $18 million will be $30 million in the offseason.

It’s also worth mentioning, that the Chargers could also work out a long term deal, shrinking the $18 million cap hit, but they wouldn’t have to. That money is well within the going rate for a player of Johnston’s production. Over the last couple seasons, he has supassed 10 catches once and 100 yards three times. This is on par with Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns), Michael Pittman Jr (Indianapolis Colts), and Calvin Ridley (Tennesse Titans). Those players are all making near $18 million next season.

Johnston’s yards per reception surpass Pittman and Jeudy, and his 52.5 yards per game is comparable to all three players. If the former TCU Horned Frog improves again in 2025, he would be around 70 catches for 900 yards, and $18 million would be a bargain basement price for 2027. He and McConkey would be due new contracts after the 2027 season, but the team would have plenty of cap space to amke it happen. Hoertiz said he’s not trading Johnston, and he wasn’t blowing smoke.