Davante Adams' trade request in Las Vegas -- and Rahsee Rice's knee injury in Kansas City -- has sparked plenty of discussion this week regarding which receivers might become available in the next month as the Nov. 5 trade deadline nears.
The wide net cast by prognosticators didn't miss Panthers wideout Diontae Johnson, Carolina's leading receiver who is just 28 years old and is playing on a one-year deal for a team not expected to win many games in 2024. Such talks prompted reporters to ask Panthers head coach Dave Canales on Wednesday if Johnson could become available in the next few weeks.
"I don't see that happening," Canales replied succinctly.
Canales has good reason to cling to Johnson, his team's best receiving option in a passing game that required a quarterback change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton to get off the ground. When watching Panthers games, it's evident Johnson is their best receiver, especially after they lost veteran Adam Thielen to a hamstring injury that forced the Panthers to place him on injured reserve in late September. Through two weeks with Dalton as the starting signal-caller, Johnson has enjoyed a jump in production, catching 15 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
If Canales and general manager Dan Morgan are on the same page about winning as many games as possible in 2024, they'll keep Johnson. If Morgan is more interested in acquiring capital for the long haul, Johnson could become available.
Wisely, Johnson is tuning out the noise. He has a job to do with his current team.
“At the end of the day, I can’t control some of the stuff they put out there," Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. "I can only just come here and continue to be the player I’ve been since I got here. … Not really worried about it. Whatever happens, happens. I’m locked in with the Panthers right now.”
Like the rest of the Panthers, Johnson has to feel much better about his chances of success (and of earning another contract somewhere in 2025) with Dalton throwing him passes, and not Young. But as if often the case in the NFL, the Panthers' overall record might play the biggest part in determining Johnson's fate. If they can stack a few wins, they'll have reason to maintain the status quo with their roster.
If not, expect Johnson's name to be circulated frequently in the coming weeks.