After the Carolina Panthers fell to 1-3 following their Week 4 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Diontae Johnson has re-entered trade discussions.
Johnson, a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, was acquired by the Panthers from the Pittsburgh Steelers with hopes he would become a key target for rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
However, following two poor performances, first-year head coach Dave Canales decided to bench Young.
Journeyman quarterback Andy Dalton has shown he can manage the offense, leading the team to a win against the Las Vegas Raiders and putting up a strong effort against the Bengals. While Dalton can keep the offense functional, he cannot rectify the struggling defense. With a focus on rebuilding, the Panthers may consider trading Johnson to receiver-needy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or the Green Bay Packers.
Chiefs, Packers Could Pursue Diontae Johnson
The Kansas City Chiefs worked to enhance their wide receiver corps over the offseason, adding free agent Marquise Brown and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round. Together with Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, they seemed poised to support quarterback Patrick Mahomes in his Super Bowl quest.
However, injuries have disrupted these plans; Kelce’s performance has been inconsistent, Brown may have suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason, and Worthy hasn’t yet demonstrated readiness for a significant role. The latest injury to Rashee Rice could necessitate a trade for Diontae Johnson.
Rice’s injury occurred after Mahomes tackled him during an interception, and the Chiefs are concerned he may have torn his ACL, according to Jordan Schultz. Rice had been the most reliable target in the Chiefs’ offense, and finding a capable replacement is crucial.
Johnson would fit well in this role, potentially revitalizing the offense and offering him a chance to excel with a top-tier quarterback after years of playing with backups.
Support for Jordan Love
The Packers also faced injury troubles, with wide receiver Christian Watson reportedly suffering a high-ankle sprain in their Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Although Green Bay has a strong receiver lineup, adding Diontae Johnson could bolster their chances of winning the division.
In a surprising turn, Sam Darnold has emerged as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, leading his new team to an impressive 4-0 record while ranking highly in major passing statistics. To keep pace with Minnesota’s potent passing attack, the Packers may need additional offensive strength. While Johnson may not be on the level of Justin Jefferson, he is a proven target who could enhance Green Bay’s passing game.
