Ravens trade for former Steelers receiver Johnson

The Baltimore Ravens have traded for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, with the former Pittsburgh Steeler headed back to the AFC North and to his former rivals.

Johnson had been Carolina’s leading wideout since being acquired in an offseason trade with the Steelers for cornerback Donte Jackson, but is now headed to Baltimore – along with a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – in exchange for the Ravens’ 2025 fifth-rounder.

Johnson has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina, but did not play in Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos because of a rib injury. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

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Baltimore’s quarterback, the two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson, is having the best passing season of his career, throwing for 2,099 yards, 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions through their first eight games. He also has 501 rushing yards and two TDs on the ground.

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Lamar Jackson somehow completes this touchdown pass to tight-end Isaiah Likely for the Baltimore Ravens in their clash with the Cincinnati Bengals

Johnson now joins second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman – plus tight end targets Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely – among Jackson’s top options.

Johnson’s best season came in 2021 when he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns for the Steelers.

Diontae Johnson
Image: Johnson had a big season for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 but his production then tailed off

He has struggled to match that level of production since, finishing his final season in Pittsburgh with a career-low 51 catches for 717 yards and five TDs in 2023.

The Panthers have one of the worst records in the NFL this season at 1-7 and so are in selling mode, eager to improve their draft positioning for next season.

Johnson had previously said that he wanted to remain in Carolina after trade rumours began to swirl around him.

Week Nine in the NFL begins Thursday night when the Houston Texans face the New York Jets live on Sky Sports NFL from 11pm. Also stream with NOW.

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Source : Sky Sports

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