Diontae Johnson makes immediate AFC North return with Steelers' bitter rival

As panic sets in before the NFL trade deadline, teams look to bolster their roster one more time in preparation for a Super Bowl. Now a former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is coming to the AFC North.

On October 29, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter announced that the Carolina Panthers are sending Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens. The Panthers, who sit at the bottom of the league with a 1-7 record, unload a wide receiver with diva tendencies and dump Johnson's contract for a Day 3 pick-swap.

In exchange for Johnson, the Ravens are sending a 2025 fifth-round draft choice to the Panthers. Baltimore receives Carolina's sixth-round pick next year in return and gets a starting-caliber receiver on a rental basis for the remainder of the 2024 season. Johnson has $3.8 million in guaranteed salary and becomes a free agent in 2025.

While Johnson has been an inconsistent receiver at the catch point through most of his career, one thing he's always been great at is creating separation. Johnson ranked near the top of the league in this department in several seasons, and getting open has rarely been an issue.

By adding Diontae, the Ravens get another WR to pair with Zay Flowers who's hard to stick with one-on-one. This could cause issues for the Steelers when they face their bitter rival twice in the second half of the season.

Steelers can't let Diontae Johnson get revenge in 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering their Week 9 bye, but following the break, they will play the Washington Commanders before hosting the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin need to be sure their former wide receiver doesn't become a problem for them.

Through seven games with the Panthers, Johnson caught just 30 of 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns, but his lack of efficiency was no doubt tied to the league's worst quarterback play. With Lamar Jackson, who's a front-runner MVP candidate, Johnson could find new life.

Meanwhile, Joey Porter Jr. is the only Steelers cornerback who can be counted on to mirror and match opposing wide receivers. While Donte Jackson and Beanie Bishop Jr. have proven they can take the ball away, their man coverage ability is spotty at best.

The Ravens already had one of the highest-powered offenses in the NFL before trading for Johnson, and things should only get better for them with another weapon at their disposal. Now Pittsburgh will have to account for Johnson in addition to slowing down skill players like Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews.

The Steelers traded Johnson to the Panthers during the 2024 offseason, and it stands to reason that they could be regretting this decision. Let's hope Pittsburgh's defense can keep him in check when they play each other twice in the second half of the 2024 season.