The Los Angeles Chargers picked up the fifth-year option for wide receiver Quentin Johnston around the NFL draft.

In our deep-dive analysis of the Chargers picking up Johnston’s option , it generally vibed as a really good move for the franchise. It’s an affordable clip for a still-ascending player at a key position for Justin Herbert’s offense.

Given the contract happenings, the discourse around Johnston being on a hot seat or similar sort of went away in a hurry.

But it’s never that simple in the NFL.

The fifth-year option is one thing, but Johnston still realizing his potential is another.

NFL draft, contract updates don’t fully take Quentin Johnston off hot seat

Quentin Johnston | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Good business by the Chargers: As a former first-rounder, Johnston is a $4.5 million cap hit in 2026, then the fifth-year option should roughly check in at $18 million in 2027.

Also good business?

That affordable fifth year doesn’t guarantee playing time.

Johnston has dealt with bad, fired…