It’s widely believed the Pittsburgh Steelers traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers earlier this year in part because of reasons related to attitude and locker-room culture.
During a Monday afternoon chat with Panthers beat writer Sheena Quick, Johnson addressed his reputation heading into his sixth pro season.
“I feel like people say I’m a diva and my attitude is up and down,” Johnson said. “It’s just, sometimes, players get misunderstood.”
The Steelers made Johnson a third-round pick during the 2019 draft, and he earned a single Pro Bowl nod (2021) across his first four campaigns before his relationship with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin seemingly went south last season. Johnson was ripped for a lack of effort when he declined to jump toward a fumbled ball, showed some questionable body language on the sidelines during games and enjoyed a lengthy touchdown celebration during what became a double-digit loss in December.
Perhaps the most interesting part about the Steelers jettisoning Johnson is that they clearly still have a need at the position. They actively pursued a trade for San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk throughout the spring and summer months but were unable to complete that transaction before he signed an extension to stay put.
Meanwhile, Johnson is now embracing a fresh start with the Panthers.
“I just want to show that I’m a great player,” Johnson added during his comments on Monday, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. “Great attitude. Come with good energy every day, big smile on my face. Helping the guys get better around me.”
That last point is key, as it’s no secret that landing Johnson was part of the Panthers’ plan to help quarterback Bryce Young bounce back from his difficult rookie season. New Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales is expected to have Johnson serve as Young’s primary target early and often, and Matt Harmon of Yahoo Sports explained in a video posted on Monday night that Johnson is “exactly what Bryce Young needed last year” because the 28-year-old is a tremendous “separator (at) all three levels.”
If individuals such as Harmon are correct, the Panthers taking a flier on Johnson could prove to be one of the wiser moves of this past offseason. Carolina opens the upcoming campaign at the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
