Bryce Young raves over the fire, energy Diontae Johnson has brought to the Panthers

To say Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is enthusiastic about the addition of wide receiver Diontae Johnson would be an understatement.

After a successful tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson has brought his talents to a Panthers wide receiving corps that sorely needs him. Speaking with the media, Young elaborated on his new target, and how they’re getting along swimmingly this summer.

“We’re trying to build and grow together,” Young responded, regarding his connection with the freshly-minted Panthers pass catcher. “Diontae is someone who works super hard, super competitive. He’s always wanting to go out and compete. He’s always willing to leave it all on the practice field.

“We’ve only practiced, and seen that fire he has, that energy, how bad he wants it, how hard he’s running, how much he’s willing to finish plays, you know, that’s evident on a training camp, early training camp practice. So, you know, for me, and for us, it’s just having those conversations, getting on the same page, and I think throughout this camp, you know, we’ve gone over all the film. We’ve talked about a ton of routes, and just making sure that we’re on the same page, and talking through things. I think it’s started off really well. We’ve been able to grow into some things. We’re going to keep working on that.”

Aside from Johnson, the Panthers are returning receivers like veteran Adam Thielen for another go round, along with players like Terrace Marshall Jr. and Jonathan Mingo. Additionally, Carolina drafted Xavier Legette in the first round, and his arrival, along with Johnson’s, has confidence rising.

“I think, just speaking on this year and this group of receivers, just the competitiveness. There’s been shuffling, there’s been people playing in different spots, and a willingness to learn,” Young added, regarding what’s different in this year’s receiving corps than 2023’s iteration. “You know, there’s a new system this year, and no one has come in like, ‘Ah, I’ve done this in another system with another team,’ everyone’s came in with a growth mindset. Everyone’s willing to learn. Everyone’s embraced the coaching. 

“We’ve all had to learn this together, so the amount of communication we’ve had. I mean, the willingness to go out there and — willingness to make mistakes and then go back and correct them, and there’s no, ‘Ah, maybe this,’ everyone wants to learn. Everyone wants to grown. I think also, being able to see that translate, from OTAs to training camp to now, we have a big point of emphasis of not making the same mistake twice, and seeing the willingness to grow and that translating, it’s been great watching this wide receiver group.”

The Panthers aren’t exactly a Super Bowl contender, but Bryce Young, Diontae Johnson and the rest of the Carolina receiving corps could deliver a fun season in Carolina.