"There's a lot of rumors out there on Twitter," Hortiz said, per Kris Rhim of ESPN. "And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I've had zero calls regarding Quentin."
Johnston, the 24-year-old former 21st overall pick out of TCU, has been circulating in trade conversations since March, largely because of the financial decision looming over him.
The Chargers have until May 1 to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, which would cost $18.1 million fully guaranteed in 2027.
His current cap hit for 2026 is just $2.68 million, making him a bargain this season regardless of what happens with the option.
The Numbers That Started the Rumors
Johnston has been a consistent, if frustrating, piece of the Chargers offense since being drafted.
He has scored eight touchdowns in each of his last two seasons and posted a career-high 735 receiving yards last year in 14 games.
The drop issues that plagued his rookie year have not fully gone away, though. He caught just 51 of 85 targets last season, and the inconsistency in his hands has made it difficult for the organization to fully commit to a long-term investment.
EXCLUSIVE: #Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston has been working with renowned coach, David Robinson, he tells @MLFootball.
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) March 2, 2026
David says: “Back to back seasons with 8 TDs he is primed and ready to be WR1 entering 4th year”
JOHNSTON WR1: HE LOOKS IMPRESSIVE:pic.twitter.com/W1zwUTJXaN
With Ladd McConkey emerging as the clear No. 1 option in 2025 and younger receivers Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith heading into their second seasons, the receiver room is more crowded than it was when Johnston arrived.
That depth is what fueled the trade speculation in the first place.
Hortiz did offer some genuine praise for Johnston at the same press conference, though, calling out offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's excitement about what Johnston has developed into year over year.
Real Denial or Pre-Draft Posturing
The honest answer is that it is probably a little of both.
If Hortiz genuinely had no interest in trading Johnston, there would be no reason to address the rumors as forcefully as he did.
Cool fact: Quentin Johnston has more receiving TDs since being drafted than:
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) April 14, 2026
• Justin Jefferson
• George Pickens
• Jaylen Waddle
• Garrett Wilson
• Chris Olave
• Jameson Williams
• Zay Flowers
• Alec Pierce
Don’t overlook his development. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/izUjQinn61
If the Chargers add a receiver in the first two rounds of next week's draft though, the calculus on Johnston could shift quickly.
A crowded receiver room with an $18 million option decision pending and a draft class with legitimate wideout talent available creates real financial pressure on how the Chargers manage this situation.
For now, Hortiz says Johnston is staying.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
