You probably don’t have to try to galaxy-brain the coming and going of now-former Carolina Panthers wideout Diontae Johnson. This all might be quite simple.
As we continue to wait on some sort of official word, it appears as though the 28-year-old pass catcher is headed to the Baltimore Ravens. And between Carolina’s willingness to move their leading receiver and their pittance of a return for him, many fans—of the Panthers and NFL alike—seem very perplexed about the move.
Tuesday’s decision closes up what was a seven-month relationship for Johnson and the Panthers, one that began with a surprising swap back in March. The one-time Pro Bowler was sent to Charlotte in return for cornerback Donte Jackson and a 2024 pick swap that slightly favored the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If we combine the terms of that trade with the one that went down today, here’s what the Panthers have done . . .
- Panthers trade: WR Diontae Johnson, CB Donte Jackson, 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 240), 2025 sixth-round pick
- Panthers receive: 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 178), 2025 fifth-round pick
That whole shabang looks even worse when you consider what Carolina will reportedly have to pay Johnson to not play for them over the final few months of the season. Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the Ravens will be responsible for around $625,000 on Johnson’s expiring contract—leaving the Panthers to foot a bill of about $3 million.
But all of this shouldn’t tell you that the Panthers were hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, run amok or flat out deceived. It should tell you that they were just, flat out, done with Diontae.
This offseason, the front office was looking for a go-to target to help develop second-year quarterback Bryce Young, and all they had to give up for it was a step down in the later rounds of the 2024 draft and Jackson—who was likely going to be released at the start of the new league year. Johnson, at worst, would be a rental—and at best, a productive No. 1 receiver who could earn himself a multi-year extension.
Johnson, additionally, did come over with some question marks regarding his maturity. Not to speculate that his style wore out his welcome with the Panthers, but it could explain why they were willing to eat most of his salary and take a very minor bump in draft capital to trade him.
Now, sitting at 1-7 and deciding on whether or not they even want to trot Young out in Week 9, the vision has changed. Now, Johnson became dispensable.
Moving forward, his departure will open up more opportunities for receivers who have actually figured themselves into the future—rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. Sunday’s outing against the Denver Broncos, where Legette scored on All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II and Coker put up a career day, certainly couldn’t have hurt the team’s outlook in a post-Johnson wideout room.
So, let’s just take this entire situation as it is—a small gamble that simply did not pay off.
