PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly trading wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported. On Tuesday, it was announced that Johnson would be headed to the Carolina Panthers.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. X reported that the Steelers will send Johnson and a seventh-round pick (240th overall) to the Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick (178th overall).
Johnson, who caught 51 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns last season, will enter the final year of a two-year contract extension with the Steelers in 2022. The wide receiver set a career low with 51 receptions. He will return in 2023 after missing the game due to injury.
Johnson, a third-round pick of the Steelers in the 2019 draft out of Toledo in 2021, set career highs with 107 receptions, 1,161 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl.
Who is Donte Jackson?
Jackson started 16 games for Carolina last season, recording 59 tackles and five passes defended. The veteran cornerback, drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft out of LSU, has 14 interceptions in his career.
The 28-year-old cornerback started 76 games during his time in Carolina.
Jackson will join a Steelers defense that ranked sixth in the league in fewest points allowed last season.
Diontae Johnson says goodbye to Pittsburgh
Johnson said goodbye to black and gold in an Instagram post.
“Pittsburgh, it really happened! 5 years ago you took me in and treated me like family from day one,” he posted. “I will always be grateful for the memories I made and the relationships I will cherish forever. To my teammates, coaches, staff, and fans who were there through the good times and the bad. They made me the person I am today. Thank you for helping me grow into a better person.”Today. “
Pittsburgh Steelers Offseason Recap
The Steelers have been busy this offseason. They reportedly signed quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Patrick Queen and hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator.
