Diontae Johnson’s agent said that the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers have agreed to trade the wide receiver.
Quality Control Sports made the deal public on Tuesday. The Panthers will give the Steelers a sixth-round pick and cornerback Donte Jackson in exchange for Johnson and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, according to sources who spoke with NFL Network, ESPN, and The Athletic.
“Pittsburgh it’s been real,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “Five years ago, you brought me in and treated me like family from day one. I will always be grateful for the memories made and relationships I will forever cherish.
“To my teammates, coaches, staff, and the fans who were there through the good and bad, thank you for allowing me to grow into the man I am today.”
The Steelers selected Johnson, 26, in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Over his first five seasons, he accumulated 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns. In 16 games, Johnson recorded a career-high 107 catches, 1,161 yards, and eight touchdowns; this helped him get selected for the Pro Bowl in 2021. In 13 games the previous season, he recorded 51 receptions for 717 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2022, Johnson agreed to a two-year, $36.7 million contract extension with the Steelers. Ten million dollars will be deducted from the Panthers salary cap for him.
Johnson is anticipated to become one of quarterback Bryce Young’s primary wide receivers in 2024, with Jonathan Mingo and Adam Thielen.
The Panthers selected Jackson, 28, in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. During his six-year time with the Panthers, the veteran made 80 starts. In all, he racked up 303 tackles, 248 solo takedowns, 46 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, a sack, a score, and 46 passes defensed.
In 2022, Jackson agreed to a $35 million, three-year contract deal with the Panthers.