Diontae Johnson found himself nearly sidelined as the Carolina Panthers suffered yet another devastating loss in Week 7. The Washington Commanders lost rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels early in the game, but that didn’t hinder their performance. They dominated Dave Canales’ team with a solid offensive strategy and a stifling defense, leading to a convincing victory.
Tensions are rising within the franchise, with players visibly disheartened as the season slips further away. Canales is working to maintain morale, while owner David Tepper’s thoughts on the team’s dire situation remain unclear. The current circumstances appear chaotic, with no immediate solution in sight.
Johnson was anticipated to be a key player against a vulnerable Commanders secondary, which had previously struggled against Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens. Despite dealing with multiple injuries, Johnson played through the pain but only managed one reception on three targets for 17 yards—enough to rank as the team’s second-leading receiver for the day.
Frustrated, Johnson expressed disappointment in his teammates for their lack of execution, urging them to perform their roles more effectively. “I mean, frustrated, but I can’t play every position on the field and make every play, you know what I’m saying? So everybody gotta do they job when it comes down to it. So yeah, it’s tough, but I just gotta tell myself to keep going regardless.”
This situation is far from what Johnson is accustomed to, especially when contrasting his experience under Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers are currently 5-2 and have a strong shot at the playoffs, making Johnson likely miss that competitive environment.
Trade rumors surrounding Johnson have intensified, especially with the Panthers looking to acquire assets ahead of the 2025 recruitment period. Numerous teams are in need of wide receivers, and the urgency increased following the quick trades of Davante Adams and Amari Cooper.
Allowing talented players to leave has become a pattern with previous management, and Johnson could join that list if he thrives elsewhere. If he indicates a desire to leave when his contract expires next spring, which seems probable given the current context, general manager Dan Morgan needs to maximize his return while he still has leverage.
The Panthers’ upcoming matchup against the Denver Broncos presents further challenges. Johnson recognizes the unraveling situation and is clearly dissatisfied. It remains to be seen whether he will push for a trade.
The future of the Panthers is uncertain; they are short on strength, lacking depth, and without a clear long-term quarterback strategy. This combination typically leads to extended struggles in the NFL.
Johnson had high hopes when he joined the Panthers this offseason, but his recent remarks indicate that he feels the team is falling short of his expectations, and he’s not shy about voicing his concerns.
