CHARLOTTE, NC – Last Thursday, during what turned out to be his final media bash as a member of the Carolina Panthers, Diontae Johnson held his hoodie tight around his head, talked in a quiet voice and discussed whether he planned to practice and/or play the rest of the week.

“It depends on how I feel,” Johnson said. “I come in every day like I’m going out to practice, based on how I feel. If it still hurts, I won’t put myself in danger and keep trying to make things worse. I’m just taking it one day at a time and we’ll see on Sunday.”

Johnson ultimately no longer practiced or played for the Panthers as it became increasingly clear that his days with the organization were coming to an end. The end of Johnson’s seven-game cameo in Charlotte — shorter even than Frank Reich’s — came Tuesday afternoon when the Panthers traded their leading receiver to the Baltimore Ravens, along with a pick swap.

The Panthers received the Ravens’ fifth-round pick in 2025 in exchange for the Panthers’ sixth-round pick, which seems like a pretty small hole on the draft board considering the direction both franchises are heading this year. Carolina is also chipping in about $2.9 million of the $3.5 million Johnson is owed for the remainder of the season. The Athletics Jeff Zrebiec reports.

Last Thursday in what turned out to be Diontae Johnson’s final media bash as a member of the Panthers. pic.twitter.com/UOTMViQRPM

— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 29, 2024

That’s how ready Dan Morgan, Dave Canales and others were to move on from Johnson, who was dealt a week before the trade deadline and 7 1/2 months after the Panthers acquired him in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Donte Jackson and another trade of draft picks.

The Panthers knew what they were getting in Johnson: a receiver who could break free from coverage, but someone with a history of pouting when he didn’t get the ball and dumping on his quarterbacks. The latter made Johnson a curious choice for Canales, a very positive coach from the stock of the very positive Pete Carroll who wants to establish a culture in Carolina.

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But the Panthers were desperate for Bryce Young receivers to get open. When they chose not to renew Johnson, it always felt like rent. But this one was short even by the Panthers’ standards.

The hope was that Johnson would produce and carry himself like a No. 1 receiver while playing for his next contract. He mainly did the former, not so much the latter.

Johnson didn’t hide his displeasure with Young’s slow start, and was better after Andy Dalton replaced Young in Week 3. Through Dalton’s first four starts, Johnson was targeted 43 times and had three games with at least 78 receiving yards.

The good times did not last.

After not practicing for the Week 7 game at Washington, Johnson ran a bad route that resulted in an interception for Dalton, who responded by slamming his helmet and yelling on the sideline. Johnson finished with one catch (on three targets) for 17 yards in the 40-7 loss, his final game in a Panthers uniform.

Afterwards, Johnson took no responsibility for the interception, placing the blame elsewhere.

“I mean, frustrated,” Johnson said, “but I can’t play every position on the field and make every play. Everyone has to do their job when it counts.”

So while the Panthers will clear the air of Johnson’s diva vibes, they’re also jettisoning their most skilled receiver and best route runner. But they are 1-7 and wouldn’t pay Johnson this offseason. So getting something for him (as poor as it was) and giving young receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker more opportunities at Young or Dalton isn’t the worst idea.

If I were the general manager, I would have seen if a team more desperate for a receiver than Baltimore would have given me a fourth — or at least didn’t need a sixth in exchange for its fifth. But word spread around the league that Morgan had put a “for sale” sign on Johnson, so he had little leverage.

So Johnson returns to the AFC North with the Ravens, who acquired a Panthers receiver 10 years ago in their bid to win another Super Bowl. Considering how Steve Smith got his blood and guts revenge on his old team, it’s probably for the best that Baltimore isn’t on the Panthers’ schedule this year.

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)