In a surprising move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson and a pick swap. This trade, which is not yet official, has sent shockwaves through the NFL community. Johnson, who was the Steelers’ most experienced wide receiver and longest-tenured offensive player, will now be suiting up for the Panthers. On the other hand, Jackson, who has spent his entire career in Carolina after being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft, will now be joining the Steelers.
With the departure of Johnson, the Steelers will need to find a way to replace his production on the field. Despite facing criticism in 2023 for his lack of effort on a particular play and a drop-laden season in 2020, Johnson was known for his route-running and ability to get open. His absence will leave a void in the wide receiver position, especially with Allen Robinson’s release. However, the Steelers do have promising talents such as George Pickens and Calvin Austin III who could step up and fill the gap left by Johnson’s departure.
Adding Donte Jackson to the Steelers’ secondary will help bolster their defense, especially with the release of Patrick Peterson. Jackson, who has 14 career interceptions, will provide valuable experience and depth to the cornerback position. Pairing Jackson with second-year player Joey Porter Jr. will be crucial for the Steelers as they look to strengthen their defense for the upcoming season.
On the other side of the trade, the Carolina Panthers will be gaining a dynamic playmaker in Diontae Johnson. Johnson’s ability to stretch the field and make big plays will provide quarterback Bryce Young with another weapon in the passing game. With only Adam Thielen and rookie Jonathan Mingo returning as impact receivers in 2023, Johnson’s addition will be key for the Panthers’ offense as they aim to improve upon their 2-15 record from the previous season.
Losing Donte Jackson will create a void in the Panthers’ secondary, as they will now need to find a starting corner to play opposite Jaycee Horn. Jackson’s departure leaves Carolina with a challenge to fill his spot and maintain a strong defensive unit. However, the Panthers will look to address this issue in the upcoming draft or through free agency to ensure that their defense remains competitive.
Overall, the trade involving Diontae Johnson and Donte Jackson will have significant implications for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers. While the Steelers will need to adjust to life without Johnson and integrate Jackson into their defense, the Panthers will be looking to maximize Johnson’s impact on their offense while addressing the gap left by Jackson in their secondary. The success of this trade will ultimately be determined by how well both teams adapt to the changes and utilize the players they have acquired.
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