Steelers beat writer makes prediction for Diontae Johnson's future in Pittsburgh
One of the biggest storylines currently surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers is whether or not the team will extend wide receiver Diontae Johnson. The former Toledo standout is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2022 season. And with the way the wide receiver market exploded this offseason, Johnson is in line for a mega-contract […]
One of the biggest storylines currently surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers is whether or not the team will extend wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
The former Toledo standout is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2022 season. And with the way the wide receiver market exploded this offseason, Johnson is in line for a mega-contract after a career season in 2021.
Will Pittsburgh give him a massive deal?
The Athletic's Mark Kaboly, a Steelers beat writer, doesn't think they will.
Kaboly wrote in his mailbag this week that he thinks Johnson will want more than Pittsburgh is willing to offer him.
"They aren’t offering him (Johnson) anything near (Terry) McLaurin or anybody else that got more than $20 million per year," wrote Kaboly. "They will offer him something, and it won’t be what he thinks he can get on the market, and he will get paid next year somewhere else. That’s the way I see it working out now. Spotrac projects his market value at $22 million per year. The Steelers aren’t paying a receiver $22 million per year."
Kaboly is probably right — considering the Steelers' traditional spending habits. But I think this will mostly be determined by how the 2022 season plays out.
If Johnson explodes with Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett under center — finishing as a Pro-Bowler again with considerably more receiving yards than he had last season — then Pittsburgh might reconsider their stance.
On the flip side, if Johnson doesn't improve much, but the Steelers see a lot of promise in rookies George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, then Pittsburgh will likely be more willing to let Johnson leave. If that's the case, then I'd expect the Steelers to franchise tag Johnson and then try to work a trade.
We'll see how it plays out over the next year, but I tend to side with Kaboly. I think this will be Johnson's last season in Pittsburgh.
Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
