As time went on and Johnston gained more experience, he steadily improved. Two 50-plus catches, 700-plus yards, eight touchdowns followed, giving the Chargers enough confidence to pick up Johnston’s fifth-year option in 2026.
“It went to where I was at the time and then just going back to my freshman year, thinking about what I’ve been through and stuff,” Johnston said of finding out his option was exercised. “Very excited when I got the call.”
Right now, most in the Chargers building believe Johnston is in the best position of his career to date. Coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects a “career year” from the TCU product. Herbert has been impressed with how quickly Johnston has adjusted to McDaniel’s offense and thinks Johnston is “going to have his best year” under the new OC.
“It means a lot,” Johnston said. “With that confirmation comes a little bit of relief for myself, a weight that I have in previous years on my shoulders about how I was playing and what is going to come after that if I don’t change. Like I said, I have been working as hard as I can for the last few years, ending up getting that confirmation now.
“I got previous years of experience under my belt so I’m free, take the time to learn this playbook and just go out there freely and play football.”
If you need an example of how explosive an offense under McDaniel can be, look no further than the 2023 Miami Dolphins, a team that finished first in yards per game and second in points per game. The group included the league’s leader in receiving in Tyreek Hill (1,799 yards, 13 touchdowns) and another 1,000-yard rusher in Jaylen Waddle (1,014 yards, four touchdowns).
With Herbert at the helm and McDaniel taking aim, it’s fair to expect Johnston to have a career year. They still need time to find their rhythm in the new system, but the goal has clearly been raised.
“He’s done such a great job picking up that offense, playing football and playing fast,” Herbert said earlier in June. “I’m really excited to see what he can do this year.”