Quentin Johnston entered a crucial year in 2024.

Despite it only being in his second season, the 23-year-old was determined to make strides after a rookie season with some ups and downs.

Johnston was able to do just that by posting career-best numbers. Now, the wide receiver has attacked the 2025 offseason in the same way entering another big season in Year 3.

It's been all about continuing the upward trajectory.

"Still kind of going through some ups and downs, but I feel like for the most part, taking a step up from my first year," Johnston said on Tuesday. "That's what I'm really focused on, continuing just to build whether it's the last game or the last year.

"Either way, just focus on going up and not going down," Johnston added.

Johnston led the team with eight receiving touchdowns in 2024 as well as setting new marks in his young career in receptions (55) and receiving yards (711).

Not only was he able to produce the numbers, he also stepped up in a big way at various points of the season.

Where he felt the biggest difference from his rookie season to second year was knowing what to expect, something that only comes from getting the reps and having gone through it.

"I feel like the main thing for me was just experience, having that experience," Johnston said. "Going into that second year last year, I feel like a lot of stuff slowed down for me. I was able to think more clear, having a better understanding of what I'm doing and where I'm at specific times."

He later added: "Just taking a lot of the stuff I did good and then obviously taking all the stuff I didn't do so good, just honing in on that type of stuff and carrying it into my second year. I'm going to continue to do that from last year going into this year."

In addition to going into his third season more comfortable in that aspect, he has also enjoyed having the same coaching staff and scheme for the first time in his career.

After getting to know completely different coaches last offseason, knowing what to expect this time around has made it even easier to get right into the groove of things.

"Obviously a little more comfortable because you know they're coming back, so you don't have to worry about too much stuff changing up," Johnston said. "Obviously, there's going to be some tweaks and changes here or there, but not a complete change.

"You kind of come back that first day in the building with like, 'OK, we're just picking up where we left off last year,'" he added. "It was pretty smooth."

And as opposed to his first two years in the league, Johnston has quietly become one of the more experienced receivers on the team.

Not counting the return of Mike Williams after a year away, both Johnston and fellow 2023 draft pick Derius Davis are the two Chargers receivers that have been on the team the longest.

It's why the 23-year-old receiver has taken it upon himself to also become a veteran leader in Year 3.

Johnston has seen how much the togetherness in the room can have a positive impact and has made an effort to continue that camaraderie in the room this year with the new additions and younger players.

"On the field, outside of the field, I'm always the outlet outside of the field, too," Johnston said. "I always invite them to my house, we can just chill. I feel like a big thing is not just on the field stuff, but getting that connection off the field, getting to know the person more.

"That kind of bleeds over the field and having that connection with each other throughout the receiver room," Johnston added.

It's a receiving room that has become even more competitive than a season ago.

Of course there's the two rookie draft picks in Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith that now occupy the room as well as the veteran Williams among others.

The Bolts roster currently has 11 wide receivers in total, meaning there will be ample competition for spots ahead of the season.

It's not something that changes Johnston's approach, however, as the wide receiver knows the work continues and is looking forward to how the unit can help each other progress.

"Head down, just keep working," Johnston said. "I feel like everybody still has to come and show up. I kind of said it last year, especially in the receiver room, we all feed off each other's energy so any chance we get to help each other, we always do.

"At the end of the day, we're all going on the field and competing while we're helping each other out," Johnston added. "It's always hard work, day in and day out."

Chargers wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal also concurred with Johnston, adding that he hasn't noticed a change in his approach.

"Water off a duck's back. I haven't seen anything," Lal said. "I told him he's a starter, because he is. He's operating that way."

Lal later added: "Every year they're going to bring competition in. That's their job, that's our job. It just raises the level of everyone's play."

Johnston said getting his first 1,000-yard season and building off of his career-high numbers last year is an obvious numbers goal in terms of expectations in 2025.

But he also hopes to pop out on film when he doesn't have the ball.

"Outside of having the football in my hands, showing a lot on film, making big key blocks," Johnston said. "I know they have me on a lot of cracks and stuff like that, so being a part of key blocks and springing big plays for my running backs."

After taking a step in 2024, the Bolts are looking forward to the arrow continuing to point up.

"Only one expectation. That he keeps ascending," Lal said. "I can't put a ceiling on it. It is what it's going to be.

"He's worked hard. He's diligent. He's self-aware," Lal added. "He's very much on the right track."