The stage was set. The comeback was on. Only no one told Quentin Johnston.
The Los Angeles Chargers had the ball at their own 30 yard line with no timeouts left trailing the Green Bay Packers 23-20. That’s when Justin Herbert spotted Johnston, the first round rookie drafted ahead of other starters like Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Tank Dell, streaking down the right sideline.
Johnston had more than a step of separation on fellow rookie Carrington Valentine. He used a late burst to catch up to a ball rapidly falling into his outstretched hands. Holding on here would have cleared the path for a 70-yard touchdown and three-point Charger lead in the waning seconds of Week 11.
This is not what Quentin Johnston did.
Quentin Johnston could have won this game for the Chargers pic.twitter.com/v9dUQj1OVr
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) November 19, 2023
The rookie couldn’t hang on, the ball caromed to the turf and two plays later — a Packers offsides penalty and an incompletion — Green Bay escaped with just its second win in the last eight weeks. It was yet another frustrating moment for one of the football gods’ favorite punching bags, as the Chargers fell to 4-6 and deep into the periphery of the AFC playoff race.
Needless to say, fans and analysts absolutely lost it online after the drop.
Before you blast justin Herbert – it’s what the jabronis on Twitter do – look at this throw he made.
Dropped https://t.co/8P9NBIl3JW
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) November 19, 2023
It is hard to overstate how rough Quentin Johnston has been for the Chargers. All the opportunity in the world after the Mike Williams injury, and he just hasn't been able to cash in at all.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 19, 2023
it’s not surprising Quentin Johnston has been slow to get acclimated but this is something else entirely. feels like he is so in his own head
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) November 19, 2023
ah man quentin johnston. that is brutaaaallll
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) November 19, 2023
quentin johnston make a single play challengepic.twitter.com/vU2QOHqpFa
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) November 19, 2023
The fact that Justin Herbert hasn’t taught Quentin Johnston how to catch yet is a big indictment on his leadership
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) November 19, 2023
Quentin Johnston,,, brother
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) November 19, 2023
the Quentin Johnston panic meter is approaching Jalen Reagor levels quickly
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) November 19, 2023
Quentin Johnston had a chance to turn his entire season around with one play and it went through his hands.
I truly feel bad for him. That’s as bad as it gets.
— Daniel Wade (@dantalkssports) November 19, 2023
Quentin Johnston is Breshad Perriman regen’d pic.twitter.com/TqsI32MxUP
— Tom Strachan (@NFL_TStrack) November 19, 2023
Quentin Johnston: pic.twitter.com/MHd4sm8LKY
— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) November 19, 2023
Quentin Johnston is a problem. Another silly Chargers loss.
— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) November 19, 2023
Quentin Johnston absolutely useless
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) November 19, 2023
Quentin Johnston pic.twitter.com/z27HXVDfz2
— James D Koh (@JamesDKoh) November 19, 2023
Watching Quentin Johnston play football:
pic.twitter.com/fOP7uYmEfv— Jordan Loupe (@CantALoupe_FF) November 19, 2023