The Carolina Panthers made a trade this week that reportedly left most of their rival teams feeling quite baffled.
The Panthers traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens during the week, receiving only a fifth- and sixth-round pick swap in return. That return came despite the Panthers retaining the majority of Johnson’s contract for the rest of the season, a move teams typically make in order to get a better return in a trade.
NFL sources were “floored” by the light return the Panthers got for Johnson, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Some teams questioned why the Panthers did not simply hold on to Johnson for another week, believing a stronger market may have emerged had they done so.
Even more curiously, the Panthers could have received a similar return for Johnson by just waiting out the season with him. At this point, it is quite clear that they wanted to be rid of him, even if it meant not getting much in return.
Johnson had been the Panthers’ leading receiver prior to the trade, with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns. He will now figure to be a key part of the Ravens’ offense as the team pushes for the playoffs.
