Jim Harbaugh excited about Chargers WR Quentin Johnston's 'huge' game

Second-year Los Angeles Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston looks much improved from a season ago through the first two games of the 2024 season.

In a 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers, Johnston hauled in five receptions for 51 yards with two touchdowns, including a 50-50 ball from 29 yards out.

Johnston was selected with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and had 38 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned that Johnson's had his share of naysayers. His performance against the Panthers is proving critics wrong.

"Q, everybody on the team really likes Q. Loves him. Respects him," Harbaugh said after the game . "Probably most of all is because he's kind of been picked on by a lot of people and it doesn't faze him."

Johnston's grittiness stood out to Harbaugh. The 6-foot-4 wideout made hard catches while defenders were bearing down on him.

"To make the tough contested catch, the touchdown, then work his way open on the second touchdown. Huge," Harbaugh said. "He continues to make these tough catches across the middle. Not many people do that when it's a heavy ball lasered right on you in traffic."

Quarterback Justin Herbert says the Chargers "believe in him so much" and called his performance "awesome to see." Herbert wasn't surprised by Johnston's big day. Herbert noted Johnston made huge plays in training camp.

"It was only a matter of time before we saw it on the big stage," Herbert said . "I'm happy for him. Really excited for him. I know it's only the beginning for him."

Johnston may have had some learning experience as a rookie but he feels he's improved since his rookie campaign and is focused firmly on the future.

"They expect everybody to be right on right now. The reality of it is it takes some people some time, I was one of those guys," Johnston said . "I just took everything that happened to me last year, learned from it and just keep pushing forward."

Next up for Johnston and the Chargers is a Week 3 showdown on the road against the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.