Sources: Steelers trading WR Johnson to Panthers
Written by I Dig SportsPITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are shipping wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson and a pick swap, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
The Steelers are sending the Panthers a seventh-round draft pick in addition to the receiver and receiving a sixth-round pick with the cornerback.
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 $15.8 million cap hit.
Jackson, meanwhile, has spent his entire career in Carolina after being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft. He started 16 games in 2023 after an Achilles injury prematurely ended his 2022 season. Jackson is scheduled to have a similar cap hit to Johnson, counting $15.7 million against the cap in the final year of his deal.
A league source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler last week that the Panthers were planning to trade or release Jackson, who has 14 career interceptions, including four his rookie season, but none this past season. Moving on from Jackson leaves Carolina looking for a starting corner to play opposite Jaycee Horn. However, Johnson gives quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, an additional weapon as the Panthers look to climb from an NFL-worst 2-15 record this past season.
Johnson had five touchdown receptions and 717 receiving yards on 51 catches in 2023, after not scoring a single touchdown the previous season. Johnson also earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 with his lone 1,000-yard season and a career-high eight touchdown receptions in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's final year.
In five seasons with the Steelers, Johnson racked up 4,363 receiving yards on 391 catches and 25 touchdowns.
Johnson earned criticism in 2023 for his apparent lack of effort on a play against the Cleveland Browns when he didn't go for a loose ball, and he drew ire from fans for a drop-laden season in 2020. But Johnson earned frequent praise from teammates and coaches for his route-running and ability to get open.
Johnson's departure coupled with Allen Robinson's release creates a need at wide receiver, though George Pickens is a clear threat in the passing game, and the team has an up-and-coming talent in Calvin Austin III.
Adding Jackson fills a void in the secondary with the release of Patrick Peterson. Adding a cornerback to pair with second-year player Joey Porter Jr. was a priority, and Jackson is a start to filling out that position with a veteran player.
ESPN's David Newton contributed to this report.