Panthers’ Diontae Johnson doesn’t hold back on Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers needed to add some more weapons for quarterback Bryce Young this offseason, and they took a big step in doing that by acquiring wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Johnson seemed excited to help Young progress in 2024 and expanded on what he expected his role to be this week.

“Just a guy that can get open, just give him a sense of comfort when he’s back there knowing he has a guy that can get open anywhere on the field,” Johnson said, via David Newton of ESPN. “That’s what I’m here to do, to make plays.”

Johnson, who played his collegiate football at Toledo, was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

He spent the first five years of his career with the Steelers, producing mixed results. His best season came in 2021 when he hauled in 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.

Johnson’s talent is undisputed, but he had some attitude issues in Pittsburgh, which certainly contributed to the Steelers' trading him to the Panthers.

But Johnson appears prepared to begin a new chapter in his career with a new signal-caller in Young.

“He’s accurate, smart,” Johnson said of Young. “That’s what I’ve seen from watching his tape. A great player. Can make plays. Can make any throw on the field. I’m here to make him better … help him grow.”

Young had a tough rookie campaign in 2023, which had much to do with Adam Thielen being his only dependable pass-catcher.

Young will now have an impressive duo of receivers in Thielen and Johnson, not to mention a young, talented wideout in Jonathan Mingo.

We’ll see what Johnson brings to the table in Carolina next season and how much Young progresses with him.