(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Carolina Panthers made a big move to give their struggling rookie quarterback a hand ahead of year 2.
Trading for Diontae Johnson could do wonders for Bryce Young in his first year working under Dave Canales, giving him a reliable option down the field.
Also, with the way wide receivers are getting paid now, he should also have plenty of incentives to be at his best in 2024.
Recently, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star talked about his motivation ahead of a contract year, citing how surprised he was by the kind of money his colleagues are getting right now (via Around the NFL):
“It’s crazy — seeing everybody getting big contracts,” Johnson said this week, via The Charlotte Observer. “It just motivates me to keep working. God will (provide) when I’m ready for it, so I’ll keep stacking days and not really worry about that and keep pressing, because if I press it’s going to throw my game off. … Just gotta stay relaxed, keep being humble, help the team win the best way I can, and my game is going to speak for itself. If they feel like they want to extend me, then I’m all for it.”
Panthers’ Diontae Johnson: WR market “just motivates me to keep working” ahead of contract yearhttps://t.co/73ODjUPDa2 pic.twitter.com/6SKWBeskjc
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 16, 2024
This was quite a positive offseason for wide receivers.
On top of Justin Jefferson and his record-breaking contract, multiple colleagues also got paid.
Nico Collins, Michael Pittman Jr., A.J. Brown, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and DeVonta Smith all got a big bag, so it only makes sense that Johnson feels like he’s the next in line.
The 27-year-old is about to make $10 million this season, which is significantly less than all of them got.
He’s coming off a five-year tenure, and while he wasn’t able to pick up on his impressive 2021 Pro Bowl campaign, he should still be Young’s primary target right out of the gate.
Young, on the other hand, will have to take a significant step forward after a down rookie year in which he completed just 59% of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and ten interceptions in 16 appearances for the struggling Panthers.
The post Diontae Johnson Reveals His Motivation Ahead Of Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.