Adam Thielen explains impact of Diontae Johnson signing for Carolina Panthers

The Panthers made a concerted effort to improve their offense this offseason to give Bryce Young some reliable options. And one new player is ex-Steeler wideout Diontae Johnson.

The Panthers and Steelers pulled off a deal in March. Carolina received Johnson, with the Steelers landing cornerback Donte Jackson and the 178th pick of the draft. (That ended up being Iowa defensive end Logan Lee).

Adam Thielen, who is the vet amongst the Panthers receivers, said Johnson was an instant improvement.

“Diontae, he’s just a special football player,” Thielen said in a recent interview with NFL Network. “The way that he moves and changes direction and can really track the football, you could tell it was an instant boost to that group and our team. So, I’m very excited about that.”

But the Panthers weren’t finished with receivers. They didn’t have a first-round selection in April’s draft. So they traded up for the 32nd pick, which was owned briefly by the Bills after swapping with the Chiefs. Then the Panthers selected Legette, who was the seventh receiver off the board in the first round.

Panthers addressed offensive needs in draft and free agency

Thielen also gushed over Legette.

“It’s great to have a talented rookie coming in that has a different skill set from the rest of us,” Thielen said. “He’s a big, strong, physical, fast guy that could do a lot of things. When you are able to have a few guys that could do a lot of different things, it creates a very easy, organic way to have success on offense.”

The Panthers want to build the offense around quarterback Young, who was the top pick of last year’s NFL Draft. In Young’s rookie season, the offense struggled mightily. The Panthers were last in yardage and next-to-last in the NFL in points scored. Opposing defenses sacked Young 62 times, the most for any quarterback in a decade. It’s no wonder Carolina won only two times.

But the outlook for 2024 looks better, although it remains to be seen whether the steps the Panthers take will be small, plodding ones or dazzling and big.

The Panthers hired offensive-minded Dave Canales as its new head coach. Canales is known for his work with quarterbacks, so Young should be in good hands. Meanwhile, Carolina did more than add receivers. They paid big money for offensive linemen Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis.  And they did more in draft. In the second round, the Panthers selected former Texas Longhorn Jonathon Brooks, the top running back on the board.

They’ll all be there July 24, when the Panthers kick off training camp.