After his first practice with the Ravens, Diontae Johnson stood in front of his locker wearing a huge smile. Johnson has a fresh start to his 2024 season after being traded from the Carolina Panthers to Baltimore.
The Panthers (1-7) are rebuilding with the NFL's worst record while trying to develop second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The Ravens (5-3) are a Super Bowl contender led by Lamar Jackson, a quarterback who is already a two-time league MVP.
When Johnson found out he had been traded to Baltimore, it felt like he hit the lottery.
"Once I found out where I was going, I was excited," Johnson said. "Sigh of relief. I'm ready to work."
Joining the Ravens puts Johnson back in the AFC North, where he spent his first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and caught 391 passes for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns. During his best season in 2021 (107 catches 1,161 yards, eight touchdowns), Johnson had a huge game against the Ravens with 105 yards and two touchdowns, leading Pittsburgh to a 20-19 victory.
His presence adds depth and talent to the wide receiver group and gives younger receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman another veteran voice at the position to join Nelson Agholor.
"Just trying to be that guy that the young guys can come to – just for route stuff or little stuff that I know I can help them out with," Johnson said. "Just making plays; bringing that energy to the offense."
Head Coach John Harbaugh is happy he'll be working with Johnson instead of trying to stop him.
"Diontae is a guy we obviously know a little bit about, playing against him all those years with the Steelers," Harbaugh said. "When he was in Carolina, studied him on tape, looked good. Out here today in practice, he looked good. He's in the process of trying to pick up the offense and be ready to contribute as soon as he can."
The Ravens will face the Steelers (6-2) twice this season, on Nov. 17 in Pittsburgh and Dec. 21 in Baltimore, in games that could decide the division winner. Johnson didn't try to pretend that those games wouldn't have special meaning to him.
"Just how hard we compete against each other," Johnson said. "Getting the football out; just making plays and everybody tackling. It's a big rivalry game, so just to be on this side now is different. I'm excited."
Already immersing himself in the Ravens' playbook, Johnson doesn't think it will take long for him to get up to speed. A free agent after this season, Johnson had 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games with the Panthers.
In Carolina, he had dramatically more production with Andy Dalton under center compared to Young, which bodes well for how Johnson will perform with Jackson. Johnson had eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 against the Raiders and seven grabs for 83 yards and another score in Week 4 versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I know what Lamar brings to the table, so just to be able to contribute to the offense that he's a part of and that he is a leader of is a blessing," Johnson said. "I'm going to do whatever I can to help this offense continue to get better."
Johnson also has experience as a punt returner, and Harbaugh said the Ravens will consider using him on special teams.
If the Ravens want him to return punts, Johnson is willing, though he has not done it since 2021.
"It's been a minute since I've been back at punt returner," Johnson said. "Like I said, whatever they need me to do to help the team win or anywhere I can contribute – right now, that's my main focus.
"Just getting open; moving the sticks. Just trying to be that guy that the young guys can come to – just for route stuff [or] just little stuff that I know I can help them out with – and my playmaking skills out there, getting the ball and just [making] plays; bringing that energy to the offense."
