Bryce Younger can have a brand new receiving weapon heading into 2024.
The Carolina Panthers have traded defensive again Donte Jackson and a sixth-round decide to the Steelers for huge receiver Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round decide, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Johnson, a former third-round decide, has performed everything of his profession with Pittsburgh the place he is totaled 391 receptions, 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns.
In 2023, Johnson noticed profession lows in targets (87) and receptions (51) regardless of a profession excessive in yards per reception (14.1). The previous Steelers staple will now play alongside veteran Adam Thielen, who’s coming off a resurgent yr by which he racked up his fourth profession 1,000-yard season.
Johnson is a route technician who might present Younger with one other dependable possibility. In his profession, Johnson has eclipsed 1,000 simply as soon as, however he has solely seen upwards of 170 targets in a single season.
Final yr, the Panthers ranked lifeless final in whole offense. Younger totaled 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his rookie marketing campaign because the Panthers trudged to 2-15.
By two days of the NFL negotiating interval forward of the official begin of free company, Carolina has prioritized defending their franchise QB with offensive linemen, making Johnson their first skill-position acquisition of 2024.
The 27-year-old receiver shall be coming into the ultimate yr of his contract and is due for a $3M roster bonus on Friday.
