Diontae Johnson: 'I Can't Play Every Position' for Panthers 'and Make Every Play'
October 22, 2024
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson says it is frustrating to play for a team that has been outscored 243-110 through the first seven games of the season.
"Frustrated, but I can't play every position on the field and make every play," Johnson told reporters after Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders, which dropped the Panthers' season-opening record to 1-6.
"Everybody's got to do their job, when it comes down to it. But yeah, it's tough. I just tell myself to keep moving regardless."
When asked about the possibility he would be traded, Johnson seemed open to the possibility of moving to another team by the Nov. 5 deadline.
"Whatever happens, happens with that situation," Johnson told reporters. "It's a business."
The wideout previously addressed the Pittsburgh Steelers trade that sent him to Carolina this offseason with a similar comment that "business is business."
Johnson was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 draft. Over the next five seasons, Pittsburgh never made it past the Wild Card round, but the team also never won fewer than eight games.
He is now looking at a different situation in Carolina, a team that recorded its only win of the season so far a month ago. Johnson has made a team-high 30 catches for 357 receiving yards and three touchdowns so far this season, but benching young starting quarterback Bryce Young for veteran Andy Dalton has so far to solve the team's offensive struggles.
Johnson is playing on an expiring contract. The Panthers, missing a clear-cut WR1 and QB1 as well as a strong defensive core, are in urgent need of draft capital after sending a bevy of picks to the Chicago Bears in order to draft Young in 2023.
It would make sense if Panthers general manager Dan Morgan looks to move the wideout in order to stock up before the 2025 draft. Contending teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, who both have recently lost wideout depth due to injury, could be interested in sending over some picks in order to add Johnson in a late-season push for the playoffs.