Diontae Johnson trade details: Panthers acquire No. 1 receiver for Bryce Young in deal with Steelers

If the past few days are any indication, the Panthers are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to improving Bryce Young's prospects in 2024.

First Carolina locked up a pair of big-money offensive linemen to protect Young's blind side. Now he'll have a No. 1 receiver, too.

The Panthers acquired the services of former Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson on Tuesday, sending cornerback Donte Jackson to Pittsburgh in return. The teams also will swap picks, with the Steelers sending a seventh-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

Johnson, 27, was one of Pittsburgh's top targets over the course of his five-year tenure with the franchise, accruing 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns in black and yellow. But his spell in the Steel City is coming to a close — just as the team upgraded under center.

Here's what you need to know about Johnson's impending arrival in the Queen City.

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Diontae Johnson trade details

Panthers get:

• WR Diontae Johnson
• 2024 seventh-round pick

Steelers get:

• CB Donte Jackson
• 2024 sixth-round pick

Carolina finally netted a No. 1 option for Young in Johnson, a former 1,000-yard receiver who faltered once Kenny Pickett nabbed the starting gig in Pittsburgh.

After reaching a high-water mark of 1,161 yards in 2021, Johnson's receptions and yardage totals dwindled each of the following two seasons. He famously endured a 119-catch scoring drought between Week 17 of the 2021 season and Week 9 of the 2023 season.

Johnson leaves a Pittsburgh team that just acquired veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. But Wilson is coming off a disappointing tenure with the Broncos, and Johnson was open about his frustrations under Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

The 27-year-old wide receiver was supplanted as Pittsburgh's top target in favor of George Pickens during the latter stages of his time with the Steelers. What followed was a series of unfortunate events for Johnson, most notably a moment where he seemed to spurn jumping on a loose ball during the Pittsburgh's Week 12 clash vs. the Bengals.

With a 2024 cap hit of $10 million, Johnson became a luxury too expensive for the Steelers to afford. In Carolina, he gets a fresh start, one that sees him partner alongside Young as the Panthers attempt to give their former No. 1 selection the best environment possible to find success.

Jackson, who is headed from Carolina to Pittsburgh, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Panthers. He played 16 games for Carolina in 2023, finishing with 59 total tackles and one forced fumble.

While the Steelers lose a starting talent at wide receiver, they gain one in the defensive backfield.

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Diontae Johnson stats

Johnson accrued 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns during his five-year stint with the Steelers. He earned All-Pro second team honors as a punt returner during his rookie season, averaging 12.4 yards per return.

Below is a closer look at Johnson's stats from his time in the Steel City:

Donte Jackson stats

Jackson's tenure in Carolina was a fairly successful one, spotlighted by 14 interceptions, 46 pass deflections and 303 tackles in 76 starts. The 28-year-old safety was the franchise's second-round pick back in 2018.