Panthers Reveal Vision for Diontae Johnson

In a behind the scenes video posted on the Carolina Panthers YouTube page, the vision for Diontae Johnson was revealed by offensive coordinator Brad Idzik

“I told (head coach) Dave [Canales], we need an X to start with. Where if they don’t respect him, he’s winning, they’re wrong. For us, that vision is you. We put you over there, they don’t have help on that corner, they f***** up,” Idzik said.

The Panthers probably had the worst wide receivers corps in the league last year. First overall pick Bryce Young was left out to dry in his first year in Carolina. That’s why Carolina traded with Pittsburgh for Johnson in March. They believe they have found their bona fide No. 1 wide receiver.

Johnson is a player that Panthers head coach Dave Canales has been watching and studying for a long time.

Canales’ first NFL job was the receivers coach for the Seattle Seahawks. He spent eight seasons in that role before getting his first head coaching job this year. He previously was in Tampa Bay.

Canales’ believes Johnson adds explosiveness to the Panthers’ pass game and credited his route-running abilities as elite.

“Diontae can release against the best corners in the league and get open and be available for the quarterback,” Canales said.

Johnson is definitely one of the best route runners in the league. His ability to separate is truly remarkable. His lack of focus and attention to details hinders him from being an upper echelon receiver, however.

Johnson said in March that the Steelers did not want to trade him to an AFC team, and Carolina is where they ended up settling.

“I guess they didn’t want to trade me nowhere in the AFC. I’m here now in the NFC. It is what it is. They did what they feel they had to was best on their part. I couldn’t really do nothing about that. So I’m gonna make plays with whatever team I was on or got traded to. I’m here in Carolina, so I’m here to work,” Johnson said.

Johnson revealed last month that the trade caught him off guard. He’s happy that he landed in Carolina, however.

“I was surprised [when the trade happened] but blessed at the same time, you know – fresh start somewhere,” Johnson said. “I had been in Pittsburgh for five years. Coming here, it’s different. Just still trying to get acclimated and I’m enjoying the process so far.”