Diontae Johnson exudes confidence in his new role that will make Bryce Young's life easy

Diontae Johnson knows the reason he was brought to Charlotte.

The Carolina Panthers needed a wide receiver who stands as a threat to get open downfield. Already, Johnson is impressing head coach Dave Canales. On Thursday when speaking to reporters, he didn't hold back on the confidence he has stepping into the No. 1 role.

“My work speaks for itself," he said . "I’m gonna continue to work and get my teammates better all around, and just continue to bring my best effort and my best attitude each and every day.”

Already Bryce Young and Johnson have started building a budding chemistry. Their success will be paramount to Carolina's offense finding life in the 2024 season. Young knows that. Through the first two days of training camp, the second-year quarterback has focused on adjusting his timing with the receiver Canales describes as a special "mover."

"It's my job to adjust to that and to make sure that I'm able to have the same timing and to get the ball out early to know where he's going to be, be able to anticipate that. And it takes time. I think we're growing in that," Young explained .

"It's going to take more time, more reps, more conversations and that's a big point of emphasis for me throughout this training cam. He's someone that is very, very special in just what he can do and quarterbacks, it's on us to adapt to that what makes him special, like what makes him different."

Separation doesn't necessarily mean immediate targets. Johnson and Young know they have to get on the same page – something that didn't happen often for Johnson during his last two seasons playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But those struggles are behind Johnson. He wants to return to the 2022 level that saw him notch 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. To get there, Johnson is remaining dedicated to the process he's built so much faith in.

"I feel like our relationship steady growing," Johnson said of his connection with Young. "I'm just trying to get in the playbook with him and see what he's looking at on certain things, so I can be on the same page with him."