CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers are trading cornerback Donte Jackson to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the Panthers will get Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
The teams are also expected to swap picks. The Panthers will send a sixth-rounder (178th overall) and will get a seventh-rounder (240th) back from the Steelers.
The news was confirmed on the team’s website.
Jackson was a standout for the Panthers organization in the 2018 draft class and was selected in the second round. He had always been considered one of the fastest players on the Panthers roster ever since his arrival.
Johnson will be another weapon for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who the franchise is working to shore up heading into the new season.
LB Brian Burns to NY Giants
The Panthers are sending star pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants for two draft picks, including this year’s second-rounder and a 2025 fifth-rounder.
The Panthers turned down two first-round picks from the Rams in 2022 for Brian Burns, NFL reporter David Newton said. Now they are trading the two-time Pro Bowl selection to the Giants for a second- and fifth-rounder.
The Panthers now have seven overall selections in this year’s draft, including the 33rd and 39th overall picks with the addition of the Giants’ picks.
The team also adds another $24 million in cap space when Burns’ tag value comes out of the equation, which will help add defensive reinforcements.
LB Frankie Luvu heads to Washington on 3-year deal
Linebacker Frankie Luvu is heading to Washington D.C., ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday.
Luvu reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Commanders valued at a maximum of $36 million.
Without a doubt, Frankie Luvu embodied the “dog” mentality #Panthers GM Dan Morgan said he wanted in his introductory news conference, then stated his desire to extend at the NFL combine.
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) March 11, 2024
And then, there’s the business.
Luvu to the #Commanders on a 3-year deal for $36M. https://t.co/daUo6Hqgo1
The Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said last month the team had “all intentions” to re-sign Luvu.
Panthers agree to terms with Dolphins, Seahawks guards
The Panthers agreed to terms with Dolphins guard Robert Hunt, according to the team’s website on Monday.
Hunt must pass a physical before the deal can be finalized at the start of the league year on Wednesday.
“The 27-year-old Hunt would a massive void for the Panthers since they had to play seven different left guards and eight different right guards,” the Panthers stated.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Hunt was a second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2020 out of Louisiana-Lafayette.
The Panthers also agreed to a deal for former Seattle Seahawks guard Damien Lewis. He’ll sign a four-year $53 million deal with a $26.2 fully guaranteed.
The Seahawks drafted Lewis from LSU in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, meaning he’s worked with Panthers head coach Dave Canales.
Lewis stands at 6-foot-2 and weights 327 pounds. He started 61 games over four seasons for the Seahawks.
Building a team around Bryce Young
At the NFL combine, the Panthers’ new leadership laid out their priorities for their pursuit of a winning season. The team’s GM said addressing the offensive line is “high on the list” this year.
“I think it’s pretty evident that our offensive line struggled at times last year,” Morgan said. “We’ve got to get better in that area and we’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen.”
Coach Canales spoke about Bryce Young and how they’re focusing on him this season.
“You’re looking at an accurate player. A really smart player,” Canales said. “He’s aware of what’s happening, and we’ve got to build the whole thing around him -- something where we can say this is our identity.”
The additions of Hunt and Lewis show the Panthers organization is already working toward protecting Young.
VIDEO: Panthers coach sits down with Ch. 9 to discuss plans for turning team around
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