Diverse opinions were expressed following the Steelers’ Tuesday trade of harshly criticized wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers.
While some felt the Steelers should have maintained Johnson given his low price tag, others were relieved Pittsburgh had parted ways with the man, who was occasionally criticized for his lack of effort.
The Steelers sent CB Donte Jackson and their 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 178) to Carolina in exchange for Johnson and their 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 240), according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Pittsburgh’s willingness to make the trade was made clear by Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, opening up yet another obvious void in their roster.
“As I stated two weeks ago, Diontae Johnson wanted this trade 100 percent,” Kaboly wrote on platform X.
There have been rumors that Johnson supported the trade, but no evidence has been provided to support those claims. Kaboly seems to believe that part of it is true.
The Steelers do have a need that the deal addresses. To play opposite Joey Porter Jr., the No. 32 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, they would need to locate another corner.
Jackson, who has six years of NFL experience and 14 interceptions and 46 passes defensed, might be just what Pittsburgh has been searching for.
In addition to anticipating an addition to the room sooner rather than later, Kaboly thinks the team could receive even more salary cap relief from the Panthers, which should cheer up Steelers fans who were disappointed by the deal.
“2 things — I bet [GM Omar] Khan makes the Panthers pay some of Jackson’s salary and there will be a corresponding move upcoming in terms of receiver,” Kaboly wrote.
In addition to the 2024 NFL Draft at the end of April, Pittsburgh still has a number of wide receiver alternatives available to them. Both outlets will probably be used by the team to expand its space.
