Diontae Johnson is excited about the chance to be the top wide receiver again.
When Johnson joined the Panthers from the Pittsburgh Steelers in an offseason trade, new head coach Dave Canales told him he would be the main target in Carolina’s passing game.
“I liked to hear that,” said Johnson, who is starting his sixth season in the NFL. “Now it’s up to me to run my routes and get open.” Johnson has experience as the primary receiver.
From 2020 to 2022, he averaged 94 catches, 989 yards, and five touchdowns per season for the Steelers. His standout season was in 2021, when he had a career-high 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns while being targeted 169 times.
However, Johnson’s role diminished last season as wide receiver George Pickens emerged and Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation was inconsistent. He was targeted a career-low 87 times and ended the season with just 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns.
Even though Johnson did not share specific goals for this season, he feels “very confident” he can return to his 2021 performance and be a top receiver.
The Panthers share this belief, which is why they traded starting cornerback Donte Jackson to the Steelers for Johnson.
“As we build our offense, we will really try to feature someone — and for us right now it’s ‘Where’s Diontae Johnson at?’” Canales said.
Canales plans to use Johnson in various formations, and Johnson has even been seen lining up in the backfield during training camp. Canales is not concerned about opponents focusing too much on Johnson.
“Tendencies are OK as long as you know you have them,” Canales said. “The defense is going to be looking for someone and I think that opens everything else. So I think the patience of the quarterback going through progressions and finding the next guy, and I think the (other) receivers and tight ends will come alive after that.”
Johnson missed Wednesday’s practice due to what Canales called a mild groin sprain, but it’s not seen as a serious issue. It’s uncertain if he will join the team’s joint practice with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Thursday in Charlotte.
The Panthers would benefit greatly from Johnson’s presence.
He joins a team that had one of the worst offenses in the league last season and was shut out in the final two games, with rookie quarterback Bryce Young struggling. Young was 2-14 as a starter, with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Johnson is encouraged by what he’s seen from Young in practice, noting his poise and confidence. Johnson believes Young has the potential to do well in the NFL.
“I think he’s going to surprise some people,” Johnson said. “I think this offense will surprise some people.”
The Panthers made several changes to help Young this offseason.
They spent over $150 million on guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to improve their weak offensive line, and they drafted wide receiver Xavier Legette from South Carolina in the first round to complement Johnson.
Adam Thielen, who was the team’s most reliable receiver last season, is back, and the Panthers hope former second-round picks Jonathan Mingo (2023) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (2021) will step up as reliable playmakers.
Young and Johnson have already built good chemistry in practice, frequently connecting on short and intermediate routes.
Young is looking forward to the season.
“To see the amount of fire that he comes out with every day, saying, ‘Hey, let’s get this right after practice’ and just how competitive he is, you can see how much he cares about this,” Young said. “He cares about the details and little things.”
