The first-round receiver confronts his early-season slump head-on, addressing the late-game blunder against Buffalo that left the Chargers searching for answers amidst a declining offensive performance.
Former TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston is facing another difficult stretch with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he did not shy away from taking responsibility after Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Johnston was visibly frustrated following the Chargers’ 24-16 defeat, with one particular play late in the fourth quarter standing out.
With just over five minutes remaining and Los Angeles facing third-and-10, quarterback Justin Herbert found Johnston open along the sideline.
The pass was placed in a position where Johnston had a chance to make the play, but he was unable to secure it.
The former Horned Frog acknowledged afterward that he could have done more.
"Obviously some stuff at the end of the game I feel like I could have did better. I think we all seen that, but sometimes it's just hard to take," Johnston said.
"You work week in and week out so hard for a certain thing and it goes a different way. Obviously not the way that you wanted to, but it's not always going to, so I just got to keep my head up."
That mentality could be important for Johnston, who has struggled to find consistency during the opening weeks of the 2026 season.
Through three games, Johnston has six receptions for 64 yards on 16 targets. He has yet to find the end zone, and his longest reception has gone for 21 yards. Three of his six catches came against Buffalo.
The numbers are a significant step back from what Johnston accomplished last season. He recorded 51 receptions for a career-high 735 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, demonstrating why the Chargers elected to exercise his fifth-year option during the offseason.
For TCU fans who watched Johnston develop into one of the nation's most productive receivers in Fort Worth, his current situation is certainly worth monitoring.
Johnston has already shown flashes of the talent that made him a first-round pick, and Los Angeles has continued to invest in his potential.
The Chargers' decision to retain him through his fifth season reflects their belief that he can remain an important part of the offense.
Now, Johnston will have to put Sunday's disappointment behind him and find a way to turn his opportunities into production.
For the former Horned Frog, the response to this setback may be just as important as the mistake itself.
