Johnson content with role as Panthers’ number one wide receiver sunlit1688

sunlit1688 Deontay Johnson is ready to prove himself as the Carolina Panthers’ number one wide receiver after being traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. sunlit1688

Deontay Johnson, 28, said he was happy to hear from head coach Dave Canales that he will play a key role on the Carolina Panthers’ offense in the 2024 season, according to NFL Network.  ( sunlit1688 )

The Panthers traded Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, with new head coach Canales planning for the 28-year-old wide receiver to play a key role in Carolina’s offense. 

“As we build our offense, we’re trying to find somebody who can really play, and for us right now, where’s Deontay Johnson?” Canales said of the 28-year-old wide receiver. 

As Johnson added, ‘I like to hear that. Now it’s up to me to run my own route and be open.’ 

Before Canales revealed he planned to move Johnson around to keep him off the edge of the defense, the Panthers coach wasn’t worried that defenses would be too focused on the 28-year-old wideout.

“The trend is OK as long as you know there’s one,” Canales said. “Defenses are going to look for one and I think that opens up every opportunity. So I think the patience of the quarterback to go through the development phase and find the next one, and I think the wide receivers (other) and the inside receivers will help the offense come back after that.”

However, the Panthers are hoping Johnson can replicate the form of his 2021 season, when he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and scored eight touchdowns, a trio best, and earned his first and only career Pro Bowl appearance.