The NFL trade market has been unusually active this season, and at least one more former Pro Bowl wide receiver could be on the move before next week’s deadline.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter was asked if there are any other significant trades he expects to see ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline. The reporter said he believes the Carolina Panthers will find a suitor for Diontae Johnson.
“Diontae Johnson, in my mind, is gonna be traded by next week,” Schefter said. “I don’t know whether it’ll be this week or next week, but I expect Carolina and Diontae Johnson will part ways and each side will go its own way and the question is where he winds up. I think he gets traded.”
"In my mind Diontae Johnson and Za'Darius Smith are gonna be traded before the deadline..
The Rams are only a game out in the NFC West and I don't expect them to move Cooper Kupp"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PhIPBmYAu2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024
It is hardly a secret that the Panthers have been shopping Johnson. The 28-year-old did not play in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos because of a supposed rib injury. When asked if Johnson was being held out for trade purposes, Carolina head coach Dave Canales had a telling response.
Johnson was traded to the Panthers in March after he spent the first five seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 after hauling in 107 catches for 1,161 yards and 8 touchdowns. Johnson has 30 catches for 357 yards and 3 touchdowns in seven games this season.
We have already seen former Pro Bowl wide receivers Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins traded in the last two weeks. It is unclear how much interest there is in Johnson, but it sounds like the Panthers are more than open to parting ways with the former third-round pick.
