On Tuesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant move by trading their talented, yet occasionally troubled wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, along with a seventh-round pick, to the Carolina Panthers. In exchange, they acquired defensive back Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick.
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Former Carolina Panthers cornerback, Donte Jackson (#26).
While some initially speculated that the Johnson trade talks were merely media speculation, the idea proved to be very much real. The Steelers have a history of not hesitating to part ways with talented wide receivers, and Johnson's on-and-off-field issues likely factored into the decision to trade him, even if it meant accepting a slightly reduced return.
During Tuesday night's NFL Total Access show, Mike Garafolo revealed that the Steelers had engaged in discussions with the Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, regarding a Johnson trade. However, Garafolo implied that the Steelers may have been apprehensive about trading Johnson within the AFC.
"He had permission, his agent did, to go seek a trade. They talked to a few teams. The Kansas City Chiefs, they had conversations with them at some point. But it didn't seem like they'd trade him within the AFC to a contender, if possible. Sending him to the NFC to the Carolina Panthers, who have been looking to add receivers since last year."
Despite the Chiefs facing receiver challenges throughout the previous season, they clinched a Super Bowl victory primarily due to the exceptional performance of Patrick Mahomes and a much improved defense. However, with Travis Kelce aging and the imperative for the Chiefs to bolster their receiving corps, the Steelers likely had ample leverage in negotiations with Kansas City.
Nonetheless, as Garafolo highlighted, it became apparent that the Steelers were hesitant to facilitate a trade within the AFC, to avoid strengthening an already formidable Chiefs roster. This strategic maneuver reflects the Steelers' cautious approach to conference dynamics.
The Steelers ultimately opted to trade him to an NFC team, albeit for a slightly lesser return. While the details of the potential offer from Kansas City remain undisclosed, it's reasonable to assume that it might have surpassed the Panthers' offer.
Steelers Seeking Wide Receivers Following The Diontae Johnson Trade
The recent trade of Johnson has left the Steelers with a noticeable gap to fill in their receiving corps. Johnson, known for his speed and playmaking ability, was a key contributor to the team's offense, making crucial catches and stretching defenses downfield. His departure creates a void in the Steelers' passing game, requiring them to reassess their options at the wide receiver position.
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Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson.
With the need for another reliable target to complement their new quarterback, Russell Wilson, and keep the offense dynamic, the Steelers will likely explore various avenues to address this gap. This could involve actions such as the draft, free agency, or internal roster adjustments. Steeler Nation will keep their eyes peeled for updates regarding the wide receiver position in Pittsburgh.
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