The Carolina Panthers grabbed headlines on Tuesday evening after pulling off a huge trade. The Panthers acquired Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a move that makes complete sense.
With the trade, the Panthers acquire a solid wide receiver who should make quarterback Bryce Young’s life easier now.
The Panthers traded defensive back Donte Jackson along with a 2024 sixth-round pick for Johnson and one of the Steelers’ seventh-round picks.
One of the reasons that Young, last year’s top overall selection in the NFL Draft, struggled so mightily was his lack of weaponry. His receivers struggled to get open and create separation last year, leading to some disastrous results at times.
That being said, Johnson is a skillful receiver who immediately injects some life into this offense. While he may be a little boom-or-bust, the Panthers would surely take some booms even if it meant collecting some busts along the way right now.
Only having to part ways with Jackson for him is also a win for the team. Jackson will become a stout piece on a Steelers defense that’s growing scarier. The team signed Patrick Queen, a veteran linebacker who played for rival Baltimore, earlier on Tuesday. They already have some of the best defensive talent in the league. So, adding a piece won’t hurt.
In all, it’s probably good for both. But all eyes will be on Young, Johnson, and the Panthers.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022