Johnston: 'I'm due for a breakout' with Harbaugh joining Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston is optimistic that the arrival of head coach Jim Harbaugh will help him bounce back after a disappointing rookie season.
"I didn't really get a chance to show who I really was and what type of player I am, but I still got the world of confidence in myself even if nobody doesn't," Johnston told ESPN's Kris Rhim. "And so ... going into this next season, I can't wait. Like I said, I feel like I'm due for a breakout."
Johnston failed to live up to the hype as one of four first-round wideouts from the 2023 NFL Draft. The TCU product, who was the second receiver off the board, struggled with drops and finished Year 1 with 38 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns. His average of 0.88 yards per route run ranked 90th among 102 eligible wide receivers, according to PFF.
It was a disappointing season for the Chargers as a whole as Los Angeles fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco in December. The AFC West club announced Harbaugh as Staley's replacement Jan. 24.
"His past experience with the (San Francisco) 49ers and then going to college, I have no doubt in my mind that he can get that done with this team at this level once again," Johnston said of Harbaugh. "We've got a world of confidence with him. I've been texting back and forth with some of the players, and we're very excited to get back to work."
Harbaugh led Michigan to an 86-25 record and a national title during his nine seasons with the school. The 60-year-old also helped the Wolverines reach a College Football Playoff semifinal two years ago, but they fell short against the Horned Frogs and Johnston, who hauled in six catches for 163 yards and one touchdown.
Harbaugh was previously on the 49ers' sideline. He coached San Francisco to three NFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance in a four-season span.
In addition to Johnston, the Chargers' wide receiver depth chart features Pro Bowler Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer, among others. However, L.A. is projected to be $45 million over the salary cap in 2024, according to Over The Cap. Allen and Williams, who missed 14 games in 2023 due to a torn ACL, currently have cap hits of $34.72 million and $32.46 million, respectively.
The Chargers recently hired former Baltimore Ravens executive Joe Hortiz as their new general manager.
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