Diontae Johnson, wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, has been the subject of trade speculation, with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly interested. However, Panthers head coach Dave Canales dismissed the likelihood of Johnson being traded, emphasizing his focus on playing the best 11 players available. Canales expressed confidence in the players’ development and stated that Johnson’s trade was not something he anticipated happening.
Johnson joined the Panthers in a March trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Carolina exchanged cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick for Johnson and a seventh-round pick. Johnson is currently in the final year of a two-year contract worth over $36 million, fueling rumors that the Panthers may trade him before the November 5 deadline to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency. However, Johnson seems content in Carolina and is reportedly open to negotiating an extension with the team.
With the Panthers’ salary cap situation expected to improve significantly in 2025, with over $41 million in cap space, the team is likely to wait before making any decisions on extending Johnson’s contract. Johnson, for his part, is not overly concerned with the trade rumors and remains focused on contributing to the Panthers’ current season. He stated that his attention is solely on the team, and he is not letting outside speculation distract him from his performance on the field.
Johnson has been a key player for the Panthers, leading the team with 20 receptions on 39 targets. Since Andy Dalton replaced Bryce Young as the starting quarterback, Johnson’s productivity has increased, with 15 catches on 27 targets in the past two games. Canales highlighted Johnson as a focal point of the Panthers’ offense, stating that the team is working on ways to optimize Johnson’s role and create favorable matchups for him in their formations.
Although Johnson missed a recent practice due to ankle soreness, Canales expressed confidence that he would be ready to play in the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears. Johnson remains a central figure in the Panthers’ offensive plans, and despite the trade speculation, it seems unlikely that he will be moved before the trade deadline.
