Diontae Johnson was surprised when the Pittsburgh Steelers traded him to the Carolina Panthers this offseason, but the wide receiver is now ready to help second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

"Just a guy that can get open, just give him a sense of comfort when he's back there knowing he has a guy that can get open anywhere on the field," Johnson said, the first of a three-day voluntary minicamp for teams with new head coaches. "That's what I'm here to do, to make plays."

Dave Canales said Johnson's release ability is "second to none." He made it clear to Johnson in their initial meeting he would be the X receiver and Young's first option in the progressions of the passing game.

Johnson believes he and Young will work well together.

"He's accurate, smart," Johnson said of Young. "That's what I've seen from watching his tape. A great player. Can make plays. Can make any throw on the field. I'm here to make him better ... help him grow."

The Carolina Panthers went 2-15 in Bryce Young's rookie season as the quarterback was sacked 62 times.

Andy Dalton, who served as Young's backup last season, believes Carolina's moves this offseason have paved the way for improved results for Young. 

"I thought he handled it well, and I kept telling him, 'Just stay the course. This thing is going to get better, it's going to improve,'" Dalton said.

"And I think what we have done this offseason, bringing in some guys, bringing in a couple guards on the offensive line, you know, different things, trading for Diontae Johnson, I think it's getting built the right way where, yeah, it's going to set him up to have a better year."

Derrick Brown and the Carolina Panthers have agreed to sign a four-year, $96 million extension that includes $63.165 million guaranteed.

Brown's $24 million per-year average trails only Chris Jones, Christian Wilkins and Justin Madubuke at defensive tackle.

Brown had 103 tackles last season, which is the most in NFL history for a defensive lineman. 

Bryce Young had a rough rookie season, something Adam Thielen says wasn't entirely his fault.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2023, Young played behind a struggling offensive line and received little help from the running game.

"Yeah, well, I'll say this: I mean, I think everything was stacked against him last year, unfortunately," receiver Adam Thielen told Good Morning Football. "And I'm not gonna get into detail as to why that was, but I'm just really excited for him to have a fresh start, an ability to have a good coaching staff that's gonna put a good plan together to help him be successful, and also to put people around him to help him be successful."

Free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has agreed to a contract with the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed but sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Clowney agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract that can be worth up to $24 million.

The Carolina Panthers have ended talks with Brian Burns on a contract extension, according to a report.

The decision to put an end to those conversations came at the Scouting Combine last week. 

The Panthers picked up Burns' fifth-year option in 2023 and could still use the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

The edge rusher would be in line for a salary of $24 million in 2024 if he played under the tag and the Panthers would have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal with him. 

The Carolina Panthers are expected to use the franchise tag on Brian Burns, according to a report.

The Panthers are still in ongoing negotiations with the linebacker on a long-term deal.

Placing the franchise tag on Burns will give the Panthers more time to work out a new deal.

Running back Mike Davis, who played for six NFL teams in eight seasons, announced his retirement on Monday, his 31st birthday.

Davis had 2,052 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns and 1,066 receiving yards with four touchdowns in a career with Seattle, San Francisco, Carolina, Atlanta, Chicago and Baltimore.

The Carolina Panthers have hired Brad Idzik as offensive coordinator, but head coach Dave Canales will call plays.

Prior to last season, Idzik spent four seasons with Canales in Seattle as the assistant wide receivers coach.

Canales is tasked with improving the play of Bryce Young. Canales helped Baker Mayfield go from last in the NFL in Total QBR (26.2) in 2022 with Carolina and the Los Angeles Rams to 18th this past season (54.4).

The Carolina Panthers will hire Dave Canales as head coach.

Canales was most recently offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.