Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | 2nd Wave Of Free Agency

[Topcat]

Soo... no Keenan?

Don't need him...we're STACKED at wideout now...

[CanadianBoltFan]

The Athletic’s Daniel Popper believes Quentin Johnston will “have to earn his roster spot” in training camp.

Popper has Tre Harris starting alongside Mike Williams and Ladd McConkey in three-wide sets, bringing up the possibility of moving KeAndre Lambert-Smith on to the field when they “need more speed.” None of this sets up especially well for Johnston, the last pick of the Tom Telesco regime. He improved last year with a 55/711/8 receiving line, but he may be fighting for one of the last spots on the roster this year if everyone makes it through training camp without an injury. Harris getting early buzz as a starter is interesting too, though we expect the Chargers to run plenty of two-wide sets.

[Formula 21]

Popper said it on his post draft Hops with Pop - have to perform to be on the roster
Maybe they give him OTAs and Training camp - if not, suck it , take the cap hit and release him or some team takes a chance on him but he will cost $4.6m for two years

EDIT: Just saw this article -- pure speculation the Raiders might not keep Michael Mayer, but maybe a swap of picks -- Mayer for QJ. Mayer is owed a bit less than QJ -- since only $300k of his 2026 is guaranteed -- but just a thought - one teams trash for another

Raiders Predicted to Cut Ties With $9.3 Million Tight End After UDFA Signing

or trade QJ for an journeyman guard.

[Boltjolt]

or trade QJ for an journeyman guard.

And for the record once more, i never said trade anyone now. But I am predicting what can happen.

I've said let's see what we have in TC and preseason but the coaches may see early what KLS can do. It's just a matter of them making it healthy thru TC and preseason.

[Formula 21]

The Athletic’s Daniel Popper believes Quentin Johnston will “have to earn his roster spot” in training camp.

Popper has Tre Harris starting alongside Mike Williams and Ladd McConkey in three-wide sets, bringing up the possibility of moving KeAndre Lambert-Smith on to the field when they “need more speed.” None of this sets up especially well for Johnston, the last pick of the Tom Telesco regime. He improved last year with a 55/711/8 receiving line, but he may be fighting for one of the last spots on the roster this year if everyone makes it through training camp without an injury. Harris getting early buzz as a starter is interesting too, though we expect the Chargers to run plenty of two-wide sets.

That means nothing. Everybody has to earn their roster spot in camp. QJ will not be outright released.

[CanadianBoltFan]

That means nothing. Everybody has to earn their roster spot in camp. QJ will not be outright released.

QJ will be very hard pressed to remain a starter. I think this team and this QB is going to love KLS. I see QJ sliding to WR 4 or 5

I am not sure Popper's sentiment means nothing. He didnt mention that Mike Williams will have to earn a roster spot

[Bolt4Knob]

QJ will be very hard pressed to remain a starter. I think this team and this QB is going to love KLS. I see QJ sliding to WR 4 or 5

I am not sure Popper's sentiment means nothing. He didnt mention that Mike Williams will have to earn a roster spot

I think QJ - as long as the other WRs are healthy and he can truly be option 4/5 -- might have a place. He won't be expected to run posts or vertical patterns. They can put him in best position to make plays.

[electricgold]

I think QJ - as long as the other WRs are healthy and he can truly be option 4/5 -- might have a place. He won't be expected to run posts or vertical patterns. They can put him in best position to make plays.

The only thing is QJ seems to be able to find the endzone!

[wu-dai clan]

While other pundits jumped to conclusions and tried to justify their big boards, Ben Solak, with his keen eye saw some things.

He really likes our 1-2-3.
Hampton.
Tre.
Caldwell.

[DerwinBosa]

That means nothing. Everybody has to earn their roster spot in camp. QJ will not be outright released.

I doubt Popper got that information from anyone within the organization. He's probably just speculating, which is fine, but Harbaugh and Hortiz don't give a shit about what he thinks.

When Johnston was picked two years ago, there were plenty on this forum raving about him being the best wide receiver in that draft. Some were drawing comparisons to Ceedee Lamb. He was the new guy, the first-round pick, so that's how it went.

Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith are now the new guys, so understandably so there's a lot of intrigue and excitement over them, but I think it's way too early to insinuate that Lambert-Smith will beat out Johnston and knock him off the team.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I think QJ - as long as the other WRs are healthy and he can truly be option 4/5 -- might have a place. He won't be expected to run posts or vertical patterns. They can put him in best position to make plays.

I get it and that is what everyone says, but how many snaps does he get?

Ladd will always be on the field and is the super slot receiver. Mike and Tre are X and actually Tre can play Z. KLS is your deep threat or when you want speed.

Nice to see Herbert with multiple options who catch the ball well and add Gadsden and he has 4 guys who are good at contested catches.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I doubt Popper got that information from anyone within the organization. He's probably just speculating, which is fine, but Harbaugh and Hortiz don't give a shit about what he thinks.

When Johnston was picked two years ago, there were plenty on this forum raving about him being the best wide receiver in that draft. Some were drawing comparisons to Ceedee Lamb. He was the new guy, the first-round pick, so that's how it went.

Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith are now the new guys, so understandably so there's a lot of intrigue and excitement over them, but I think it's way too early to insinuate that Lambert-Smith will beat out Johnston and knock him off the team.

That's fair, but the Chargers clearly love KLS and were stoked to draft him. They bypassed a guard like Miles Frazier and other options on the draft board to take a 2nd WR after they already took one in round 2. These guys don't waste draft picks, they have a plan for KLS. They want a legit deep threat for all the play action.

You always have to be wary of players from a previous regime that the new regime has no loyalty to that haven't lived up to their billing.