One of the Steelers most productive pass-catchers is reportedly on his way out of Pittsburgh.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, wide receiver Diontae Johnson has been traded to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson and a pick swap. Johnson has a $3 million roster bonus due at the end of this week that the Cats will now pay.
Johnson immediately become the Panthers most reliable receiver as the team enters year two of the Bryce Young era.
A one-time Pro Bowler, Johnson was a third-round pick out of Toledo back in 2019. Last season he caught 51 balls for 717 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games and began to express frustration with his situation in the Steelers’ moribund offense.
Diontae’s best year came in 2021 when he hauled in 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and a team-high eight receiving scores. However, inconsistent quarterback play and occasional cases of the drops held back some of what the 27-year-old could accomplish in Pittsburgh.
Now Johnson finds himself in the Queen City where he’ll attempt to be a big fish in a very small pond for the worst team in the NFL last season.
The talent is there at least and he should get a fairly large target share in Charlotte.