The Carolina Panthers traded for Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson, but other teams were knocking at the door.
Late Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers traded defensive back Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick. Diontae has been with Pittsburgh since he was drafted in 2019.
Trade terms:
🏈Panthers receive WR Diontae Johnson and a 7th-round pick.
🏈Steelers receive DB Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick. https://t.co/jdl57fi2zo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Diontae Johnson was being shopped around this past season, and a deal finally broke through on Tuesday. It was a surprise that Johnson was sent to Carolina, especially when you see some of the other teams in the running.
Carolina Panthers almost lost Diontae
Diontae was a sought-after wide receiver asset. Since his early days in the league, he created separation and improved his catch percentage each year.
According to ESPN, “Johnson was the Steelers’ most experienced wide receiver and longest-tenured offensive player. A third-round pick in the 2019 draft, he is in the final year of his contract and comes with a $10 million cap hit to the Panthers, leaving $5.8 million of dead cap in Pittsburgh.”
Kansas City Chiefs
Another team that called about Diontae was the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
If the Steelers didn't make a deal with the Panthers, Diontae Johnson might've been catching passes from Patrick Mahomes.
Per @MikeGarafolo, the Steelers discussed a deal with the Chiefs before sending him to Carolina. #Steelers https://t.co/XXxaBKShWK
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) March 13, 2024
Kansas City’s drop percentage last season was very public. The Chiefs led the league in drops having 2.6 drops per game. Diontae Johnson had 13 drops back in 2020, but since then, he has had less than seven in each of his past three seasons.
New York Jets
Other teams were calling for Johnson, but it wasn’t the other teams calling that Diontae was interested in. Diontae made a statement after the trade that he thought he would fit well with the New York Jets. The Jets disagreed.
I checked in on Diontae Johnson earlier this afternoon. Thought he could have been a #Jets target. He was not. The #NYJ were not in the running there.
Johnson had a very good 2021 when he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. 88-882-0 & 51-717-5 TD last two…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 12, 2024
Later, reports emerged that Joe Douglas, the Jets’ general manager, said they didn’t think Diontae would be a good culture fit. Even if Diontae wanted to end up in New York, that did not matter. No attempt was made. Diontae ended up with the Carolina Panthers instead.
Diontae Johnson is no longer a Steeler
The trade is not yet official, but Johnson said goodbye to Pittsburgh on social media.
“Five years ago, you brought me in and treated me like family from day one,” he wrote. I will always be grateful for the memories made and relationships I will forever cherish. To my teammates, coaches, staff, and the fans who were there through the good and bad, thank you for allowing me to grow into the man I am today.”
The Carolina Panthers are excited to add a weapon to help second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
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