Diontae Johnson trade: Carolina Panthers send WR to Baltimore Ravens

The Carolina Panthers (1-7) are trading receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens (5-3), Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Tuesday.

Along with Johnson, Carolina is sending a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder. Johnson’s tenure in Carolina is done after just eight games, as Baltimore adds a proven pass-catcher for the second half of the season.

Johnson, 28, came over in an offseason trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2), and quickly cemented himself as the Panthers’ top wideout. Johnson, who did not play in Sunday’s 28-14 Week 8 road defeat to the Denver Broncos (5-3) due to a rib injury, led Carolina with 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns.

He rejoins the AFC North after spending the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. Johnson who signed a two-year, $36.7 million contract ahead of the 2022 season, will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 campaign.

Ravens add Diontae Johnson to already potent offense

For his career, Johnson has tallied 421 receptions for 4,720 yards and 28 touchdowns. He posted a career-best 107 catches 1,161 yards and eight scores in 2021.

He goes from one of the league’s worst offenses in Carolina, to the league’s best in Baltimore. The Ravens lead the NFL averaging 452.1 yards per game and are second with 30.3 points per game. Baltimore has the No. 5 passing attack, with quarterback Lamar Jackson on pace to win his third MVP.

The Ravens already have an explosive offense. They now bring in Johnson to a skill group which includes Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Baltimore also has the No. 1 ground game in the NFL led by the league’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry.