Tag: Diontae Johnson

Former Steelers’ WR turned Raven a non-factor in Baltimore debut

Former Steeler and newly acquired Ravens WR Diontae Johnson had an underwhelming debut in Baltimore, making zero impact whatsoever.

While not every debut makes a splash, some fail to even make a ripple. This is exactly the reality Diontae Johnson faced in his first appearance with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. The former Steelers WR did his best impression of Roman Wilson’s regular-season debut. Not only did Johnson fail to record a single catch, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson didn’t target him at all during the contest. 

While his playing time was limited, similar to how Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin handled Wilson’s first career NFL regular-season game, his inability to make even a slight impact begs the question: was too much stock put into his arrival with the Ravens?

While Johnson has yet to be given the chance to highlight some of his less-than-lovable qualities, such as his tendency to give up on plays, his lack of consistency in run blocking, and his plethora of dropped passes, fans of Pittsburgh should be excited about the opportunity to showcase, in Week 11’s matchup with the Ravens, why acquiring Donte Jackson was well worth the price they paid in trading Johnson to Carolina. 

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Will Diontae Johnson play for the Ravens this week? Week 9 update

John Harbaugh told Tracy Wolfson that he expects Diontae Johnson to play 10-15 snaps in his Ravens debut against the Broncos in Week 9

Diontae Johnson had an efficient week of practice after getting traded from Carolina to Baltimore. Although he won’t be a starter, Todd Monken has a role as the veteran pass catcher.

Talking to Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports before Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium, head coach John Harbaugh said Johnson would play about 10-15 snaps in his debut.

Johnson talked about quickly picking up the Ravens offense and could provide a spark in the deep passing game with Lamar Jackson.

Johnson has been a productive pass catcher in the NFL and one of the league’s best at creating separation on the outside.

Johnson had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Panthers.

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Ravens OC Todd Monken shares what WR Diontae Johnson can add to offense

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken shared how wide receiver Diontae Johnson can add to the team’s offense

The Baltimore Ravens acquainted wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers just before Week 9. Baltimore gave up a fifth-round pick to acquire Johnson’s services while also receiving a sixth-rounder back with him.

When asked about Johnson, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken shared the areas where he thinks the veteran can help the offense. He talked about Johnson’s ability to separate and the talent that he displays.

“First of all, just seeing [Diontae Johnson] the first couple of days, I like what I see. I think he adds tremendous depth to us at receiver, [and] I think he gives us another guy who can separate. I think our tight ends can separate; I think our receivers can separate; I think we have other guys that can win. And I think it allows us to – again, you’re just always trying to add talent, and I think we’ve added a talented player.”

Johnson will slot in behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman in Baltimore’s receiver pecking order. The team will be better with Johnson in the fold, and it’s exciting to think about the full potential of the offense with him in it.

Report: Steelers have expressed interest in Panthers WR Adam Thielen

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers have called up the Panthers about WR Adam Thielen.

The Carolina Panthers may not be done rehoming their veteran wideouts.

According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers have expressed interest in receiver Adam Thielen. The 11th-year pass catcher, in fact, is just one of multiple players Pittsburgh has sent out some feelers for.

Schefter writes:

The Steelers have been making calls and checking on any and all available wide receivers before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, including the Jets’ Mike Williams and the Panthers’ Adam Thielen, according to league sources.

Thielen signed with the Panthers on a three-year, $25 million pact in the spring of 2023. He’d go right on to become Carolina’s leading receiver that season, amassing 1,014 yards and four touchdowns on 103 catches.

The 34-year-old missed the last five games due to a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 3. Tomorrow’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints will mark his sixth, as Thielen was downgraded to out for the contest on Saturday.

Carolina already traded fellow wideout Diontae Johnson this past Tuesday. He was shipped off to the Baltimore Ravens in a deal involving a late-round pick swap for the 2025 draft.

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Diontae Johnson has quickly picked up the Ravens offense and should have a role in Week 9

Diontae Johnson has quickly picked up the Baltimore Ravens offense and should have a role in Week 9

Diontae Johnson went from the out house (Panthers 1-7) to the Penthouse (Ravens 5-3) and after quickly picking up the offense, the former Steelers pass catcher should have an immediate role in Weke 9.

Johnson has had one short week of practice, but let the media know that he’s quickly picked up the offense and ready to contribute.

Johnson has been a productive pass catcher in the NFL and one of the league’s best at creating separation on the outside.

Johnson had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Panthers.

Lamar Jackson praises Diontae Johnson’s ability to separate vs. man-to-man coverage

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson raves about Diontae Johnson’s ability to separate vs. man-to-man coverage

The Ravens (5-3) are a Super Bowl contender, and Diontae Johnson went from the outhouse to the penthouse after being traded away from the 1-7 Carolina Panthers.

Johnson has been a productive pass catcher in the NFL and one of the league’s best at creating separation on the outside. On Friday, following the final practice of the week, MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson praised Johnson’s ability to beat man-to-man coverage.

Johnson previously spent five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and caught 391 passes for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns. His best season came in 2021 (107 catches, 1,161 yards, and eight touchdowns). Jackson and the Ravens saw an up-close look at Johnson in one of his biggest games; the wide receiver logged 105 yards and two touchdowns, leading Pittsburgh to a 20-19 victory.

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Report: Panthers were in trade talks with 2 other teams on WR Diontae Johnson

It may have been possible for the Panthers to get even less in exchange for WR Diontae Johnson.

Yes, it may have been possible that the Carolina Panthers could have gotten even less for wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

According to Sheena Quick of FOX Sports Radio, the Panthers had two other potential suitors for Johnson—who is now a member of the Baltimore Ravens.


The Ravens, of course, swooped in and pulled off a swap for Johnson on Tuesday. Their deal involved a late-round pick exchange for the 2025 NFL draft, with Carolina receiving a fifth-rounder and Baltimore a sixth-rounder.

In addition, Baltimore will only be on the hook for approximately $625,000 of the remaining salary on Johnson’s expiring contract. That leaves the Panthers having to foot around $3.2 million for the rest of the season.

Head coach Dave Canales was asked about the trade on Wednesday.

“Dan [Morgan], Brandt [Tilis] and I just talked about the different opportunities that came up and we just kind of collected all the information and made the best decision for all of us,” Canales stated.

When later asked about the underwhelming return for Johnson, Canales declined to provide any further details.

“I’m not gonna get into too much of the specifics,” he replied. “A lot of those conversations, we always wanna try to protect and keep in-house. But we kinda just collectively thought that was the best decision for us.”

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WATCH: New Ravens WR Diontae Johnson talks about playing with QB Lamar Jackson

New Ravens WR Diontae Johnson talks about playing with QB Lamar Jackson

Diontae Johnson went from an ugly rebuild in Carolina to playing with Lamar Jackson and the AFC juggernaut, Baltimore Ravens.

Having spent years with the Steelers, Johnson is all too familiar with John Harbaugh’s team’s style of play and what Lamar Jackson means for a wide receiver looking to finish this season off strong before hitting free agency.

“Once I found out where I was going, I was excited,” Johnson said via the team’s website. “Sigh of relief. I’m ready to work.”

Johnson sat down with Cassie Cherigo to discuss what it means to play with a two-time MVP quarterback.

“Getting a chance to “contribute to the offense that he’s a part of and a leader of is a blessing.”

Johnson has logged 357 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season and had been a bright spot in an otherwise struggling Panthers offense.

Johnson is in the final year of a two-year, $36.7 million contract originally signed with the Steelers in 2022. The trade could offer him a fresh start with a team in playoff contention.

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Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman expected to remain the top two wide receivers for the Ravens after trade for Diontae Johnson

Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman expected to remain the top two wide receivers for the Ravens after trade for Diontae Johnson

With the recent trade for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, speculation has arisen regarding potential changes to the usage of the Baltimore Ravens’ current top two wide receivers, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the pair of homegrown first-rounders are expected to remain as the team’s top two options at the wide receiver position with the arrival of Johnson.

“I’m told Diontae Johnson’s trade acquisition does not reflect a change in view of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as the team’s current WR1 and WR2, per source,” Anderson wrote. “While, I’m told Johnson was brought to Baltimore for his speed, separation and punt returning abilities—especially with Deonte Harty’s (knee) listing on IR, it’s been reinforced to Flowers and Bateman, even going back to last year when the team added additional weapons at wideout, that the organization not only believes in the aforementioned duo but also has very high confidence in them.”

Flowers has taken another step in his second season, becoming quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target in the passing game with 17 more catches than the next player. Flowers’ 527 receiving yards also lead the team and is currently the 12th most in the NFL.

While Bateman is coming off a game he would rather forget against the Cleveland Browns, in which he dropped two crucial passes, his play has been a marked improvement this season. Bateman’s 422 receiving yards are second on the team and 20th in the NFL.

As Anderson later points out, Johnson will most likely eat into veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor’s playing time.

 

Panthers players react to trade of WR Diontae Johnson

A handful of Panthers praised former teammate Diontae Johnson on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers lost not only their leading receiver on Tuesday, but a well-respected teammate.

In what seemed like an imminent move, wideout Diontae Johnson was traded by the Panthers on Tuesday. The former Pro Bowl pass catcher is off to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a late-round pick swap in the 2025 NFL draft.

Here’s what some of Johnson’s now-former teammates had to say about the move on Wednesday . . .

When asked to provide some insight into the decision, head coach Dave Canales didn’t offer much.

“I’m not gonna get into too much of the specifics,” Canales stated. “A lot of those conversations, we always wanna try to protect and keep in-house. But we kinda just collectively thought that was the best decision for us.”

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