Diontae Johnson may be starting completely fresh in 2024.
After spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 27-year-old wideout was traded to the Carolina Panthers at the start of free agency. And after spending each of those five seasons wearing the No. 18, he may be switching it up in his new threads . . .
That 5 gon look good on me 😎💯
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) March 28, 2024
This would be the first time that Johnson dons the No. 5 uniform—at least on a big stage. He wore No. 3 at Earl J. Lennard High School in his hometown of Ruskin, Fla. and then No. 19 and No. 3 during his time at the University of Toledo—where he was a two-time first-team All-MAC selection.
The head coach who helped pluck Johnson out of Toledo spoke to reporters about his now-former receiver from the Annual League Meeting on Monday.
“You’re gettin’ an awesome route runner, a guy that can create separation at the top of routes, a guy that’s tough to stay with,” Mike Tomlin said of Johnson’s move to Carolina. “He can win in non-vertical route-running and vertical route-running. So you get a guy with a complete skill set in that regard and I just think he’s gonna be a big asset to ’em.”
As far as who Johnson would be taking over for, the No. 5 was last worn by free agent Laviska Shenault Jr. this past season.
