Tag: sports news

Steelers fans conflicted on potential reunion with Diontae Johnson

Fans are divided over whether the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider bringing Diontae Johnson back if the Ravens release him.

The grass isn’t always greener, and Diontae Johnson, along with the Baltimore Ravens, found this out the hard way. In an attempt to provide a much-needed boost to their receiver room, the Ravens took a chance on the ever-dramatic wide receiver. However, Baltimore’s greed blinded them to not only the emerging wide receiver threat already on their roster, Rashod Bateman, but also to Johnson’s tendency to self-implode.

Some fans are clamoring for the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign Johnson if he is released, but others remember his less-than-ideal attitude when he played for the Black and Gold.

One rule that came to light in 2024, due to the New York Jets’ trade for Haason Reddick, prevented the Steelers from reuniting with Johnson at the trade deadline. The rule explicitly states that teams cannot reacquire a player via trade that they previously traded away until two years have passed. However, much confusion surrounds the rule and whether the Steelers could potentially sign Johnson if he is released and clears waivers.

Here are some of the best fan reactions to the potential Black and Gold reunion with Diontae Johnson.

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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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New footage shows officials were wrong in Week 15’s Steelers-Eagles fight

New footage vindicates Steelers fans, proving officiating errors in Pittsburgh’s Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Oh, how the tables have turned. Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers were criticized as sore losers for blaming the awful officiating in Week 15’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. However, new footage from one key play in the game supports the Black and Gold faithful’s claims.

Early in the first quarter, Steelers WR Calvin Austin and TE Darnell Washington were wrongfully the only players penalized for a fight that broke out with Eagles CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Slay Jr.

HC Mike Tomlin was visibly upset on the sideline following the penalty on his players alone. When asked postgame why the officiating crew made the call, referee Alan Eck stated it was due to a lack of evidence.

However, newly released footage clearly shows that Slay and Mitchell both took shots at Washington and Austin.  This begs the question, how was officiating upstairs unable to catch the penalty in replay assist?

While this is certainly not the first time officials have given the Pittsburgh Steelers the short end of the stick, fans of the Steel City certainly hope it will be the last in 2024.

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Blast from the past: Kenny Pickett reunites with Ex-Steelers teammates

Eagles Kenny Pickett reunited with former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates, proving that relationships can endure beyond a difficult departure.

Although ‘Kenny Football’ had a rather tumultuous exit from the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason, it appears there is no bad blood from either side of the relationship.

Kenny Pickett hasn’t been on the same field as the Pittsburgh Steelers during the regular season since the 2023 Week 18 contest on January 6th earlier this year. Ignoring the fact that Pickett had seemingly given up the opportunity to earn back the admiration of his Black and Gold teammates, he was seen reconciling and reuniting with former teammate TE Pat Freiermuth, as well as his former head coach Mike Tomlin.

Some things are simply bigger than football. Relationships, such as the ones Pickett developed with his former teammates over the two-year span he spent as a Pittsburgh Steeler, are more meaningful than any drama stemming from leaving the Steel City. Perhaps a Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Super Bowl could be on the horizon for both Pennsylvania-based NFL teams in 2024, and the Steelers could once again catch up with their former QB.

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T.J. Watt hits Steelers milestone in Week 15 matchup vs Eagles

T.J. Watt tied James Harrison’s Steelers record for forced fumbles, inching closer to becoming the franchise’s all-time leader.

You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit in the wind, and you shouldn’t let T.J. Watt anywhere near an opposing quarterback. Despite suffering an apparent ankle injury in Pittsburgh’s Week 15 loss to the Eagles, Watt once again etched his name among all-time Steelers legends by tying the record for most forced fumbles in team history.

Toward the end of the first quarter, Watt made a huge splash play by punching the football out of Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ arms, earning his 33rd career forced fumble in the process.

Watt is now tied with Steelers legend James Harrison, but at this stage of his career, surpassing Harrison is practically a matter of when, not if.

If Watt is healthy enough to play in what may be the most important game of the Steelers’ season so far—the AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16—fans should have their eyes glued to his immaculate ability to knock footballs loose.

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Steelers OLB T.J. Watt provides positive injury update from Week 15

T.J. Watt provides relief to fans with a positive injury update, keeping their hopes alive for the AFC North showdown against the Ravens.

Fear not, Steelers fans, for it appears your prayers have been answered! In Week 15, the hearts of the Black and Gold faithful dropped as fans watched former 2022 D.P.O.Y. T.J. Watt roll on the ground in pain during the fourth quarter of the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries have been a recurring concern for Watt over the past few seasons, but fans were treated to an immediate and remarkable update—straight from Watt himself.

While speaking to reporters after the Week 15 contest, Watt revealed that tests and X-rays came back negative, and the issue was as simple as rolling his ankle.

It remains to be seen if Watt will be able to recover in time for Saturday’s Week 16 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Steelers defender will do all he can to make sure he is ready for the AFC North showdown—especially with the opportunity to clinch the division on the line.

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Did Najee Harris fumble away the starting job to Jaylen Warren?

Najee Harris’ Week 15 struggles raise questions about his future, as the Pittsburgh Steelers may turn to Jaylen Warren down the stretch.

When it rains, it pours. While this seemed to be the case throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 15 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, it was especially true for one player in particular: RB Najee Harris.

Harris finished the game with six rushes for 14 yards and a single catch for seven yards. His poor statistical showing wasn’t the worst of it, however, as Harris’ worst play of the game practically sealed the fate of the Black and Gold.

In what many can only describe as heartbreaking, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense was beginning to make up ground, trailing the Philadelphia Eagles 13-20 with under five minutes remaining. Harris was on the receiving end of a toss play that QB Russell Wilson executed perfectly, but the running back completely whiffed on collecting the football. The Philadelphia Eagles recovered the fumble and extinguished the Steelers’ momentum by scoring a touchdown.

Harris, who is currently in a contract year, has been rumored to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 free agency. With costly plays, such as the one in Week 15, it may be time to call on RB Jaylen Warren to lead the Steelers’ running game down the stretch.

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T.J. Watt suffers apparent ankle injury in Week 15 vs Eagles

T.J. Watt’s late-game injury clouds the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff outlook, but their depth at linebacker offers hope.

As if the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 15, 13-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t get any worse, their best player on defense appeared to suffer an injury to his left leg at the end of the contest.

With under five minutes remaining, T.J. Watt attempted to bend to the outside to get around Eagles RT Lane Johnson but collapsed to the ground, clutching his left foot and ankle area.

The good news is that Watt ultimately walked off the field under his own power, but the timing couldn’t be worse with the playoffs just weeks away.

The Pittsburgh Steelers boast incredible depth at the outside linebacker position, with a plethora of capable pass rushers—Preston Smith, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith—ready to step up in Watt’s potential absence. Watt’s availability for the remainder of the regular season will be the top question on everyone’s minds. Stay tuned to Steelers Wire for updates.

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Mike Tomlin offers some choice words to officials in Week 15

Following a personal foul penalty, Mike Tomlin’s choice words for officials highlighted his frustration during the Steelers-Eagles matchup.

In what can only be described as a chaotic start to Week 15’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Mike Tomlin was clearly heated after watching his team surrender 10 points in the first quarter.

Following a physical altercation between the Steelers and Eagles, Tomlin was visibly frustrated that the officials only penalized Pittsburgh for the fight. Fans could clearly see Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell land a strike on Calvin Austin III, but the officiating crew appeared to miss it.

The personal foul penalty cost the Pittsburgh Steelers 15 yards, and Tomlin made his displeasure known to the officials in no uncertain terms.

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Yikes! Players and coaches have been fined for less when it comes to their interactions with officials, and it remains to be seen if the NFL will involve themselves due to Tomlin’s profanity-filled statement directed at the officiating crew.

One thing remains certain, however—it is probably best to leave Tomlin alone when you’re calling a penalty against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Fight erupts between Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles

A heated brawl erupted during the Steelers’ Week 15 contest after a physical altercation involving Darnell Washington and Calvin Austin.

George Pickens may have missed the Week 15 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, but his chaotic spirit lived on through some of his teammates early in the contest.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington—known for his impressive ability and willingness to block—did his best Pickens impersonation by driving Philadelphia Eagles CB Darius Slay all the way out of the end zone and slamming him into the stands.

The physical altercation took a turn for the worse when WR Calvin Austin III got involved, shoving CB Quinton Mitchell, who was near the pile of bodies. Mitchell seemingly landed a swing on Austin, but the officials must have missed that part of the action, as only Austin and Washington were penalized for the altercation.

Ultimately, the physical nature of the interaction that caused the penalty would stall the Pittsburgh Steelers’ scoring opportunity. The situation mirrored Pickens’ block attempt on Browns CB Greg Newsome II back in Week 12, where he drove the defender into the stands to end the game.

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