It has been a rough go of it for the Carolina Panthers over their first two games of the 2024 season, with the team losing both of its contests by a combined score of 73-13. Making matters worse, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is already expressing frustration with his new team.
After recording just two catches for 19 yards on six targets in Week 1, Johnson had three catches for 19 scoreless yards on six targets in the 26-3 Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Following the Panthers' second loss of the season, Johnson was asked about the lack of downfield throws quarterback Bryce Young has made and it was clear the veteran wide receiver is already frustrated with his new team, and more specifically, the play-calling.
"We all are (frustrated with the lack of downfield throw)," Johnson said, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. "But it is what it is. We’re not the ones calling the plays. So our job is to go out there and execute every play that they call, and put it on film."
A former third-round pick of the Steelers in 2019, Johnson spent the first five years of his career with Pittsburgh before he was traded to the Panthers this past offseason in a deal that landed the Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson and saw the teams exchange late-round picks.
“I guess they didn’t want to trade me nowhere in the AFC," Johnson said after he was traded. "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 is no stranger to questioning play-calling, as he did the same under former Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada.
“People might not agree with his play-calling, but you ain't got no choice," Johnson said last season. "He's calling plays. He's the boss on offense. We've got to do what he says and we don’t have a choice. You don't have to like them, but you got to respect them. That's how I go.”
Truth be told, the Steelers could use Johnson right now with their questionable wide receiver options behind George Pickens, but after two games with the Panthers, it's clear Johnson misses the Steelers more than the Steelers miss Johnson.
