Steelers have a shot to end their WR problems with a reunion that no one should see coming
Sometimes a separation of parties is best for everyone involved. But in some unique circumstances, two people, places, or in this case, a team and a player are meant for each other. And following the Baltimore Ravens decision to release WR Diontae Johnson on Friday, he and the Steelers can solve two problems with one […]
Sometimes a separation of parties is best for everyone involved.
But in some unique circumstances, two people, places, or in this case, a team and a player are meant for each other.
And following the Baltimore Ravens decision to release WR Diontae Johnson on Friday, he and the Steelers can solve two problems with one swipe of a pen:
Should Pittsburgh Re-sign Diontae Johnson?
The Diontae Johnson situation in Baltimore could not have gone much worse if he and the Ravens tried. He ends his tenure with the birds catching just one pass and making headlines for refusing to go into a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, which caused him to be suspended and ultimately released.
But it didn't take a genius to see the writing on the wall, even if the Ravens decided to ignore it:
As for whether there’s any concern of Johnson’s history with the Pittsburgh Steelers and some reported instances of upheaval carrying over (including a “heated locker room argument with FS Minkah Fitzpatrick after the safety took issue with Johnson’s treatment of the coaches on the sideline;” and “seemingly walk(ing) away from the opportunity to recover" RB Jaylen Warren’s fumble in a game against the Bengals last season, per USA Today’s Steelers Wire), I’m told Johnson will have an opportunity to mold his own future in Baltimore. The feeling is that “people can grow up and mature and have their eyes opened" when in a new environment of hope and optimism. Still I’m told it’ll be “up to him” to make the most of this chance.
– Josina Anderson, NFL Insider, Via X-Twitter when Johnson was signed
And that brings us to Pittsburgh. The Steelers will be without George Pickens against Baltimore on Saturday, but they could also miss him against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas.
But let's just say Pickens is fully healthy? At what point has anyone other than Calvin Austin III for a few plays a game emboldened confidence in the unit as a whole?
That's right, at no point.
And look, is it far fetched to believe that Johnson and Pittsburgh could make up and get back together? Definitely. Even if they wanted to, Johnson has to go through the waiver wire on Monday, meaning 25 teams have priority over the Steelers if they want to sign Johnson.
But for a minimum salary and a shot a Super Bowl? It should be a consideration at least. Pittsburgh finds their pass-catching option opposite George Pickens, and Johnson shows he can actually contribute to a winning team, with both he and the Steelers going their separate ways in the offseason.
