The Pittsburgh Steelers made the big decision to trade away star wide receiver Diontae Johnson early in the 2024 offseason. The Steelers sent Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, and in return, they received cornerback Donte Jackson. Johnson didn’t pan out with the Panthers, and they traded him to the Steelers’ rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, midway through the 2024 season. However, Johnson made zero impact in Baltimore and was released just six weeks after the trade.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that the Ravens’ timing of Johnson’s release was no accident. Baltimore deliberately waited to release Johnson. By doing so, they ensured Johnson couldn’t sign with Pittsburgh in time to play against them and potentially provide insight into their offensive and defensive schemes.
This calculated move highlights the strategic chess match between AFC North rivals. While Johnson’s brief stint with the Ravens was largely forgettable, the team’s decision to control his availability speaks volumes about the ongoing rivalry and how far teams will go to protect even the slightest competitive edge.
"The timing, of course, was interesting for the release, 'cause had they released him a day earlier, maybe his old team, the Steelers could have claimed him and then played him against the Ravens," Rapoport said, according to video via NFL Network. "They wanted to make sure that did not happen."
There was speculation about the Steelers potentially trading back for Johnson when he became a trade candidate in Carolina. However, an obscure NFL rule prevented Johnson from being traded back to Pittsburgh right after being traded away. Now that he’s been traded elsewhere, that restriction no longer applies, and if the Steelers are interested, bringing him back is entirely fair game.
The fan base remains divided on Johnson. While he was undoubtedly a productive wide receiver and an excellent route runner, he brought his fair share of headaches during his time in Pittsburgh. Johnson’s attitude and effort were frequently questioned, with concerns about locker room tensions, a lack of hustle on loose balls, and celebrating touchdowns in meaningless moments. Reports even surfaced suggesting he wasn’t well-liked among his teammates.
Whether those reports are entirely accurate remains unclear, but there’s no denying the controversy surrounding Johnson’s time in Pittsburgh. His brief and unremarkable stops in Carolina and Baltimore suggest that these issues may run deeper than initially thought, raising legitimate concerns for any team considering adding him to their roster.
Steelers May Be Desperate Enough To Bring Back Diontae Johnson
The reality is the Steelers are in desperate need of help at wide receiver, a weakness that has been glaring in the games George Pickens has missed. Pickens has been sidelined with a lingering hamstring injury, causing him to miss multiple matchups. There’s optimism he’ll return for the highly anticipated Christmas Day showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, and his presence would provide a significant boost to Pittsburgh’s struggling offense.
While it might be an unpopular opinion, there’s an ongoing debate within Steeler Nation about whether bringing Johnson back would be worth the risk. Some believe that experiencing back-to-back disappointing stints in Carolina and Baltimore might have given Johnson a fresh perspective, potentially allowing him to return as a more positive influence rather than a distraction.
It remains to be seen where Johnson will take his next snap, but with the Steelers’ current wide receiver struggles, his name will likely continue to be part of the conversation in Pittsburgh. Rapoport believes the Steelers are in the conversation to bring Johnson back.
