Category: Diontae Johnson

Disgrunted ex-Steelers WR claimed off waivers by Texans for playoff run

The Houston Texans claimed ex-Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson off waivers, drawing attention from Steelers fans and NFL insiders.

The Houston Texans made waves by claiming former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers, a move that caught the attention of Steelers fans and NFL insiders alike.

Johnson, who once showed flashes of brilliance in Pittsburgh, has had a rocky road since leaving the Steel City. After being traded to the Carolina Panthers and later released by the Baltimore Ravens, his lack of production this season made his availability less surprising but still noteworthy.

Seeing Johnson move around the league stirs mixed emotions from a Steelers perspective. While in Pittsburgh, he demonstrated dynamic route-running and big-play potential, though consistency and occasional drops plagued his tenure. The Steelers had high hopes for Johnson as a cornerstone in their passing attack. Still, the team ultimately decided to part ways as younger talent emerged, and Johnson made a stink about how the offense was being coordinated.

The Texans won the AFC South for a second consecutive season but lost wide receiver Tank Dell for the season after dislocating his knee cap on a touchdown catch.

The Ravens play the Texans in the 4:30 p.m. game on Christmas Day.

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Mike Tomlin refuses to take the ‘Diontae Johnson-bait’

Mike Tomlin avoids speculation on a potential Steelers reunion with Diontae Johnson, leaving the decision shrouded in mystery.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the opportunity to bolster their wide receiver room with one of the greatest route runners currently in the NFL—a player they know very well: Diontae Johnson.

The question on every Steelers fan’s mind following his departure from the Baltimore Ravens is simple: Will the receiver-hungry Steelers take a chance on their former wide receiver?

Johnson has burned bridges with three organizations in less than one year—the Steelers, the Panthers, and now the Ravens—and reporters wasted little time trying to bait HC Mike Tomlin into shedding some light on the subject of giving Johnson a second chance.

During Sunday’s press conference, ahead of the Week 17 Christmas Day matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tomlin was asked if the team was interested in claiming Johnson off waivers.

The Steelers head coach kept it short and sweet, showcasing his reluctance to fall for the media’s traps: “I have nothing to add about somebody not on our football team.”

Is Tomlin simply playing coy, or is the decision above his pay grade? Perhaps GM Omar Khan is already working to solidify the move, but only time will tell if Johnson will don the Black and Gold once more.

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Steelers fans call for Diontae Johnson reunion following Ravens exit

Steelers fans are calling for the team to reunite with Diontae Johnson after his surprising release by the Baltimore Ravens.

The fears and doubts surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest problem, the wide receiver room, may soon be solved! Fans of the Black and Gold have finally gotten their wish: former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson has been waived by the Baltimore Ravens.

Drama and dropped balls aside, Johnson is one of the most accomplished route runners in the NFL. With that in mind, a reunion with the Pittsburgh Steelers could soon be on the horizon. The Ravens certainly believed so, as it appeared the team was content to allow Johnson to remain on the roster for one extra week to potentially prevent the Steel City from acquiring his talents in time for their Week 16 AFC North showdown.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense, with a healthy George Pickens, would be near unstoppable with Johnson back as the team’s WR2. After a chaotic and excitement-filled day for Steelers fans, here are some of the best reactions to Diontae Johnson’s exit from the Baltimore Ravens.

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Ravens excuse Diontae Johnson from team activities for Steelers game

Diontae Johnson’s struggles with the Baltimore Ravens continue as the team excuses him from activities ahead of a crucial Steelers matchup.

It appears the Baltimore Ravens are nearing a conclusion to the ‘trouble in paradise’ they have found themselves in with former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson.

Since arriving in Baltimore via trade from the Carolina Panthers, who had previously acquired Johnson in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason, the wide receiver has done close to nothing as a Raven.

Since his arrival, Johnson has caught one pass for six yards, taken to social media to air behind-the-scenes frustrations, and was suspended for the team’s Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants.

Little has improved for Johnson, as the John Harbaugh-led Ravens announced on Monday, December 16, 2024, that the former Steelers wide receiver would be excused from team activities for the week—a week that includes the pivotal AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Is the fear of the receiver-hungry Pittsburgh Steelers reacquiring Johnson’s talents preventing the Baltimore Ravens from releasing him? Only time will tell, but a reunion with the Steel City could be on the horizon.

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Ex-Steelers WR Diontae Johnson appears on verge of release from Ravens

It appears that the Baltimore Ravens have had enough of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Acquiring wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets at the trade deadline has not paid off for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But their rival Baltimore Ravens are in a worse situation with former Steelers star Diontae Johnson. It appears they’ve had enough of him.

Per a tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Baltimore has excused Johnson from team activities this week as they prepare to battle Pittsburgh at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday. How this could impact Johnson’s availability for the Steelers-Ravens game remains to be seen.

In October, the Ravens received Johnson and a sixth-round pick from the Carolina Panthers. Earlier this month, Johnson was suspended one game for refusal to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

If released, Johnson will have run himself out of two storied franchises in eight months — three if you count Carolina.

In four games (one start), Johnson has one catch on five targets for six yards.

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Who misses who more: Diontae Johnson or the Pittsburgh Steelers?

With Pickens injured and Johnson causing drama in Baltimore, it’s unclear who’s missing who more—Diontae Johnson or the Steelers.

What a difference a week makes! Heading into Week 14, the Pittsburgh Steelers WR room seemed to have found its groove: the alpha in George Pickens, the deep threat in Calvin Austin III, and the big-bodied Mike Williams. However, following a last-minute hamstring injury to Pickens, which may jeopardize his availability over the next few weeks, the Steelers may regret trading away former All-Pro WR Diontae Johnson this past offseason.

Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers nine months ago in March 2024 for CB Donte Jackson, and was then traded to the Baltimore Ravens on October 29. There appears to be an issue with Johnson’s usage in the Ravens’ offensive scheme, leading to him refusing to play during Baltimore’s Week 13 contest against the Eagles, resulting in a one-game suspension.

While fans may be quick to disparage Johnson’s value for drama-related reasons, Pickens may have ultimately been more dramatic and disruptive this season.

Nevertheless, the only exception is the fantastic acquisition of Jackson, with WR depth still an issue and Johnson unhappy in Baltimore; both sides likely would have benefitted if the trade had never taken place.

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Fans react to former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson’s suspension

Fans hilariously react to Diontae Johnson’s suspension, reflecting on his struggles and Mike Tomlin’s ability to manage wide receivers.

2024 has not been kind to former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. From being traded off two NFL teams to becoming practically nonexistent in the Ravens’ dynamic offense, and now being suspended one game for refusing to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 matchup against the Eagles, one has to wonder: is Steelers HC Mike Tomlin not getting enough credit for his handling of dramatic wide receivers?

Fans of the Black and Gold have seen their fair share of diva-esque meltdowns and dramatic moments from wide receivers like Johnson, Antonio Brown, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and George Pickens, to name a few. However, under Tomlin’s regime, neither Johnson nor any of the other receivers were ever allowed to implode to this degree.

Johnson should view this suspension as a blessing in disguise, giving him a chance to reflect on his recent behavior and return to competing for playing time on an NFL team—rather than potentially following in the footsteps of other disgruntled receivers no longer in the league.  Here are several of the best fan reactions to Johnson’s recent suspension from the Baltimore Ravens.

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Ex-Steelers WR Diontae Johnson suspended by Ravens

Diontae Johnson’s post-Pittsburgh Steelers career has been abysmal and it’s only gotten worse. 

Diontae Johnson’s post-Pittsburgh Steelers career has been abysmal, and it’s only gotten worse.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Baltimore Ravens are suspending Johnson for one game for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

A press release from the Ravens further revealed that the suspension stems from Johnson’s refusal to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In a press conference on Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hinted that there would be a move involving Johnson, and this appears to be it.

Suspending Johnson won’t do any good. It’s obvious he’s feeling some kind of way about his lack of usage on the team and is making a stink to get his way out of Baltimore. If the Ravens are smart, they’ll force him to play out his contract. There’s no need to reward Johnson with a roster spot on the Kansas City Chiefs and a Super Bowl ring for acting like a toddler.

Johnson has managed just one six-yard catch on five targets since he was sent from the Carolina Panthers before the trade deadline.

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Former Steelers WR future with Baltimore Ravens remains uncertain

Diontae Johnson’s spot on the Ravens roster looks uncertain after a series of frustrations lead to zero snaps played in Week 13.

In a shocking turn of events, it appears that former Steelers WR and current Raven Diontae Johnson has worn out his welcome with another NFL team. While nothing has been confirmed, the writing is on the wall for the disgruntled wide receiver.

Johnson took to social media to seemingly complain about his playing time with the Ravens, and after playing zero snaps in Week 13, his time in Baltimore could be coming to an abrupt end. He had played 17, 5, 11, and 6 snaps in four games from Weeks 9 through 12, respectively.

During the Baltimore Ravens’ Monday presser, HC John Harbaugh was asked to touch on Johnson’s future, but the head coach declined. Harbaugh stated that it would have to wait for another time, as “there’s some moving parts” regarding Johnson. He added that the team would explore where they currently stand with Johnson, and vice versa.

Could Harbaugh be hinting at Johnson’s potential release from the Baltimore Ravens organization? And if he is released, although he is unable to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, could Johnson find himself a suitable contender this close to the playoffs?

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Ex-Steelers WR Diontae Johnson not biting on shade from Mike Tomlin

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver had nothing but good things to say about his time with the team ahead of the Baltimore Ravens game.

Mike Tomlin’s brief statement on Diontae Johnson turned into media fodder moments after the words came out of his mouth.

The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach was merely factual when saying Johnson isn’t “on a lot of their video” because he’s not. The Steelers’ former top-producing receiver just arrived in Baltimore two weeks ago.

“To be honest, I haven’t thought a lot about him… They’ve got more significant pieces with larger roles that have occupied my attention at this part of the week,” Tomlin also said.

Two significant components of the Baltimore Ravens offense are Derrick Henry, the NFL’s leading rusher, and Lamar Jackson, who has the second-most passing yards with 2,669.

The media bit on Tomlin’s words, calling it “shade,” but Johnson has nothing but good things to say about going against the Steelers.

Man, I had a great career there. I loved it. Great city, people great there. I know what they’re about. I can’t wait to get to Sunday to just be back in that stadium. I’m ready to get back there just to see the good people that I made relationships with and stuff like that,” Johnson said. “But other than that, it’s a big moment for me.

Johnson hasn’t made an impact through two games in his new Ravens duds. But don’t think he isn’t itching to make a statement against his former team.

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