Steelers' attempt to shut the door on the Diontae Johnson rumors only adds fuel to the fire
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in desperate need of help in the WR corps. Sure George Pickens might be returning to health, but if they want to actually make a run at a 7th Lombardi, they have to become more efficient in the passing game. One man that can help them? Diontae Johnson, who despite Mike […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in desperate need of help in the WR corps.
Sure George Pickens might be returning to health, but if they want to actually make a run at a 7th Lombardi, they have to become more efficient in the passing game.
One man that can help them? Diontae Johnson, who despite Mike Tomlin's words, is generating interest from the Black and Gold:
Steelers interested in a reunion with Diontae Johnson?
"The timing, of course, was interesting for the release, because had they released him a day earlier, maybe his old team, the Steelers could have claimed him and then played him against the Ravens," said Ian Rapoport of NFL media when discussing the Baltimore Ravens decision to release Diontae Johnson. "They wanted to make sure that did not happen."
As for the Steelers and more specifically HC Mike Tomlin, they are downplaying any talk of a reunion, with Tomlin standing firm in his stance of only worrying about what lies ahead of him:
"I have nothing to add about somebody who's not on our football team right now," said Tomlin on Sunday.
There is obviously a checkered past between Johnson and the Steelers, as the two separated on what certainly was not the best of terms. By the end of last season, Johnson was openly defying HC Mike Tomlin, getting into spats with teammates like Minkah Fitzpatrick, and quitting on blocking assignments.
But the truth is, Pittsburgh needs as much help as they can get on the perimeter, and Pro Bowl talents don't hit the street this time of year. If nothing else, the Steelers should put in claim for Johnson, just so the 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs who they play in a little over 48 hours via publish time don't attain him.
Things didn't go great with the Carolina Panthers and certainly not with the Baltimore Ravens. But sometimes, players are just a fit for one team and one organization. And let's not forget that Johnson is going to be a free agent after this season and has virtually no salary for the remainder of 2024-2025.
So what's the worst that could happen? Johnson has to know this is his last real chance at proving to another team that he's worth a multiyear contract. At some point he has to know it's time to grow up, and Pittsburgh could be the place to do so.
