Jets Urged to Trade for $14 Million Receiver to Pair with Garrett Wilson

Insider believes the Jets should target Chargers WR Quentin Johnston to bolster their passing attack.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:53pm

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The New York Jets are in need of more firepower at wide receiver to complement star Garrett Wilson. NFL insider Patrick McAvoy believes the Jets should trade for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract with a $14 million salary.

Why it matters

The Jets' passing offense was anemic in 2025, with Wilson leading the team with just 395 receiving yards in seven games. Acquiring the 24-year-old Johnston, who has back-to-back 700+ yard seasons, would give the Jets a formidable 1-2 punch at receiver and take pressure off Wilson.

The details

Johnston is a former first-round pick of the Chargers who has emerged as a solid NFL receiver. With the Chargers facing a $16.4 million salary for Johnston in 2027, they may be open to trading him for the right price. In New York, Johnston would immediately become the Jets' WR2 and likely see the most targets of his career playing alongside Wilson and veteran QB Geno Smith.

  • The Jets' 2025 season ended with a 3-14 record.
  • The 2026 NFL season is set to begin in September 2026.

The players

Garrett Wilson

The Jets' leading receiver in 2025 with 395 yards in seven games played.

Quentin Johnston

A 24-year-old wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers who has had back-to-back seasons with over 700 yards receiving.

Geno Smith

The veteran quarterback the Jets brought back for the 2026 season, known for his aggressive passing style.

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What they’re saying

“Johnston is a 24-year-old former first-round pick with back-to-back seasons with over 700 yards receiving under his belt. That's enough in itself to show why he would fit in New York. Wilson was the Jets' leading receiver in 2025 with 395 yards in seven games played. The Jets clearly need more firepower beyond him. What if he gets hurt in 2026? The passing offense will stall out.”

— Patrick McAvoy, Jets insider

What’s next

The Jets will need to determine if they have the necessary draft capital or players to offer the Chargers in a potential trade for Quentin Johnston.

The takeaway

The Jets' passing attack was a major weakness in 2025, and adding a talented young receiver like Quentin Johnston to pair with Garrett Wilson could be a game-changing move to help the team improve in 2026.