The Pittsburgh Steelers sent shockwaves through the NFL community with their decision to trade star wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. Speculation swirled about the motives behind the trade, with rumors suggesting that the Steelers were eager to part ways with Johnson due to various issues he had caused. Throughout the 2023 season, Johnson's discontent in Pittsburgh appeared palpable, and fans seemed increasingly disenchanted with him.
However, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin swiftly moved to dispel these rumors, asserting that the sole reason for the trade was their desire to acquire Donte Jackson. According to Tomlin, there were no additional factors at play. Despite his efforts to clarify, skepticism lingers among some observers regarding Tomlin's statement.
Joe Rutter, a reporter for TribLive specializing in Steelers coverage, penned an article detailing the team's pursuit of wide receivers to compensate for the departure of Johnson. Within the piece, Rutter unveiled noteworthy quotes from Dave Canales, the newly-appointed head coach of the Panthers.
“The word I like to say is, I want to compete against our roster every year so there isn’t complacency,” Canales said. “I want it so there isn’t anyone who can say, 'I’m safe here.' No, let’s challenge our roster. The goal for the receiver room was let’s challenge the explosiveness, let’s challenge the one-on-one matchup, and Diontae is a guy I’ve been watching for a long time.”
Canales expressed a long-standing admiration for Johnson, emphasizing his belief in the wide receiver's exceptional talent. He eagerly anticipates Johnson's contributions to enhancing their offensive capabilities and motivating the entire team to elevate their performance.
“Diontae can release against the best corners in the league and get open and be available for the quarterback,” Canales said. “He really has a dynamic style of play that I thought we were missing. I wanted to look at more ways we could add that explosiveness to our pass game. He was a big piece of it.”
While Canales accurately acknowledged Johnson's dynamic skill set—he's elusive, difficult to defend against, and possesses exceptional route-running abilities—it's undeniable that his departure from Pittsburgh will leave a significant void. However, concerns regarding Johnson's attitude and consistency in effort have frequently arisen.
Throughout the tumultuous 2023 season, Johnson found himself at the center of controversy. Criticism mounted when he appeared to lack effort in recovering a fumbled ball during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Additionally, he faced challenges in assuming a leadership role and setting a positive example for fellow wide receiver George Pickens, who, despite his immense talent, struggled with off-field issues.
For Johnson, his troubles seemed to stem from a series of minor setbacks that accumulated over time. Initially, he grappled with securing catchable footballs, but as he overcame this hurdle, he encountered difficulties in finding the end zone, enduring an extended touchdown drought.
When he finally did score, it was in a lackluster game against the struggling Arizona Cardinals, long after the outcome had been decided and the stadium had emptied. Johnson's celebration of what appeared to be a meaningless touchdown underscored the culmination of these seemingly insignificant issues over his five-season tenure in Pittsburgh.
Steelers' Former WR Diontae Johnson Thrived In Pittsburgh
Despite occasional questions about his leadership and attitude, Johnson consistently delivered on the field during his five-year tenure with the Steelers. His standout season occurred in 2021, earning him a Pro Bowl selection after recording impressive stats: 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.
A year before that, in the 2020 season, Johnson maintained his stellar performance with 88 catches, 923 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. However, his touchdown production dipped in 2022, despite hauling in 86 receptions for 882 yards. Despite this downturn, his overall impact as a player remained undeniable.
Canales' excitement about acquiring Johnson reflects the high regard he's held for the talented receiver. As Johnson embarks on the next chapter of his career outside of Pittsburgh, Steelers fans will undoubtedly continue to follow his journey closely. Johnson is poised to be a massive weapon for the Panthers in 2024.
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