Chargers News: Quentin Johnston Mourns Botched Game-Winning TD Catch Attempt

The rookie had a tough outing in Week 11

The Los Angeles Chargers suffer another heartbreaking loss to move to 4-6 in the 2023 season. The Bolts had a chance to drive the ball down the field to either tie the game or win it. Instead, they failed to move the ball down Green Bay's "stout" defense and continue to sit on the outside looking in regarding the playoff picture. 

In the game's last three minutes, the Chargers had two opportunities for a game-winning or tying drive. The first resulted in a three and out, and the second one, with a 1:27 left, was an opportunity squandered. 

The Chargers started on their own 26, and after only gaining four yards and wasting 57 seconds, LA had a third and six with 30 seconds left; Justin Herbert was in the shotgun, Quentin Johnston was wide-open on the sideline, and the rookie couldn't catch the football.

Quentin Johnston with one of the worst drops with the game on the line pic.twitter.com/xO752WkSQa

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 19, 2023

Momentum was shot from then on, as LA failed to convert on fourth down and ended in a loss. The pass to Johnston was a failed opportunity, and after the game, the rookie harped on the dropped pass. 

“I should have caught it,” Johnston said. “I feel like the outcome of the game would have been different if I had caught it. There ain’t really no excuse for it. I should have caught the ball.”

“I just apologized to him [Justin Herbert],” Johnston said. “It’s not like I can rewind and re-catch the ball. I just told him I’ll be there for the next one.”

(per Jeff Miller of The Los Angeles Times)

The Chargers had four total drops against Green Bay, but the one that cost them was the one Johnston dropped. 

LA knew this about the rookie WR ahead of the NFL Draft. Johnston has a history of dropping balls, which was one of his weaknesses ahead of the draft. He has had problems with focus drops; he had eight drops in his last seaosn at TCU. 

It was an issue, and clearly, it continues to be an issue for the Bolts. As of Week 11, the Johnston pick looks like a whiff; hopefully, that all changes as time passes, but things don't look great right now. 

This may have cost the Bolts, but glass half full; there is plenty of time for them to turn it around and for the rookie to redeem himself. 

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