Quentin Johnston developed into a reliable target last year. As a decision on his fifth-year option looms, will he be extended and how can he continue to grow?
In 2025, Quentin Johnston put his past problems behind him and had a respectable campaign. He amassed 735 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. He was ninth in the league in receiving touchdowns, and the passer's quarterback rating when targeting him was 119.3, which was eighth-best in the league. It was obviously mostly Justin Herbert throwing to him, but Trey Lance also stepped in when Herbert broke his hand. Johnston was efficient, finishing with a low 8.3% drop rate.
At 6'2, 208, Johnston made his presence felt in the redzone all year. He had a 23.1% redzone target rate. He had 10 catches for 4 touchdowns inside of twenty yards, making him top twenty in the league in both stats.
It's time for the team to decide on his fifth-year option, which will lead to a pay rise. However, it seems the team is in wait-and-see mode as they weigh whether he can continue his development.
It's the first season of Johnston's career where he had so many impressive stretches and stats. He could continue to be a reliable target for Herbert in 2026. Since the team is not convinced yet, they may bring in help on the perimeter through the draft and free agency. Ladd McConkey is still in the receiving corps as well.
Johnston's just-completed third year means all options are on the table. Commit to him, pick up his fifth year, or try to look for other options. The memory of losing Mike Williams and newly returned Keenan Allen in the same offseason is also fresh, so hopefully they won't let a valuable piece get away.
The team just decided they had fallen out of love with Greg Roman's offense. If they felt he held their passing game back in any way, it could be worth keeping his offensive pieces and running it back with the new offensive coordinator coming in. Herbert and Harbaugh have to deliver in the postseason in year three together; there's no way around it. And having that pressure as a starting point will guide all their offseason decisions, including the one on Johnston.
The receiver still has room to grow his game, including developing one key way to impact games. The year three returns look promising, and continuity under the head coach and quarterback duo, along with fresh eyes at OC, could be what takes Johnson over 1000 yards and helps him become a household name.