Jets Rumored as Trade Destination for Quentin Johnston

I have written a lot about the possibility of the Los Angeles Chargers trading Quentin Johnston this offseason, but that's mostly because I think replacing him with a WR1 that can act as a vertical threat and stretch defenses downfield might be a bigger key to success for the Chargers offense than rebuilding the offensive line.

I previously laid out potential ideas for the team to trade Johnston to the Eagles (for A.J. Brown), the Cowboys (for George Pickens) and the Bengals (for Tee Higgins). 

There is, of course, the possibility that the Chargers could trade Johnston without getting a WR1 in return. Maybe they can work a deal to move up in the 1st round and draft one of the best WRs in the 2026 NFL Draft instead?

That would probably be the outcome if the team were to trade Johnston to the New York Jets, who were mentioned as a possible destination for Johnston by ESPN's Rich Cimini.

The Jets are in desperation mode yet again, with their head coach and front office trying desperately to turn their 2026 team into a winner to save their collective jobs. That means that they are willing to sacrifice draft picks, especially future draft picks, to improve their chances this year after bringing in Geno Smith (amongst others) into the team as a free agent.

The Chargers have to make a decision on Johnston's fifth-year option before May 1st, and the rumor mill seems to indicate that the team would prefer to trade him over other options.

The New York Jets hold both the 2nd overall and 16th overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. I am not foolish enough to believe that Quentin Johnston is worth either of those picks in a trade, but perhaps the team could move up from 22nd overall to 16th overall. That would put them in the mix for Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson or possibly USC WR Makai Lemon.

Unfortunately, the issue for the Chargers (and Johnston) is that the team has a lot of options for a WR2 or WR3 but none for the X-receiver spot that is often tasked with beating one-on-one coverage downfield against the best cornerback on the opposing defense. Depending on your stance, Justin Herbert has either never had that type of receiver or he had it only in Mike Williams for a few years.

Another option, that I don't think anyone is excited about, would be Los Angeles trading away Johnston to replace him with a veteran WR familiar with Mike McDaniel's offense, such as Tyreek Hill or Deebo Samuel.