One of the Pittsburgh Steelers' most polarizing players is wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Johnson has been through it the past several seasons. After struggling with a season of ball drops and working on his catches, he entered a touchdown abyss. Then as the offense struggled to find its identity in 2023, Johnson struggled to control his emotions. This has led to fans turning on him and denouncing his seemingly immature behavior. Now former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, who is now a scout for Pittsburgh, is saying that he wants to see the "old Diontae."
During the Steelers' Week 12 16-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Johnson was targeted eight times and had four receptions for only 50 yards. Johnson went viral during the Bengals game for his apparently lazy behavior. He was unable to fully reel in a well-thrown pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett and maintain possession as he fell. Then on the play where running back Jaylen Warren fumbled, Johnson appeared to be completely oblivious. He never even seemed to notice what was going on around him.
Taylor now co-hosts a podcast called Bleav In Steelers with reporter Mark Bergin. On a recent episode, Bergin asked Taylor for his thoughts on Johnson. If Taylor could send Johnson a PSA, what would it be?
"Gimme all that enthusiasm when you was trying to get that contract. Basically gimme all that effort, enthusiasm when you was trying to get the bag bro. And I really ain't gotta say too much after that. He will understand exactly what I am saying," said Taylor.
As for his opinions on the dropped ball? Taylor isn't entirely sure that it was a drop, he saw it as a touchdown, but understands that Johnson put the Steelers in the position to have that not ruled a score because Johnson did not hang onto the ball.
"The drop, it wasn't really a dropped ball. It could have been a questionable call in the back of the end zone. If he would have held onto it all the way while he was going down, it wouldn't have been a question on whether it was a touchdown or not. But he did have possession, two feet down," added Taylor.
These things do all come together as a kind of effort problem or lack of effort problem. Taylor understands that Johnson's effort and passion is what is being questioned by fans and the media. The timing of the two plays, one on the back of another, only added to Johnson being cast in a negative light.
Taylor and Bergin clearly understand that the road forward for Johnson cannot be one where he appears to not give as much effort as he did before his contract. Johnson signed a two-year contract extension in 2022 that averages $18.355 million per year. The total deal could be worth up to $39.5 million if he reaches all of his incentives. Johnson, who had been a "hold-in" at training camp that year was reportedly happy to remain a Steeler.
Do The Steelers Need To See More From Diontae Johnson?
After scoring his first regular season touchdown in 668 days, during the Thursday night game against the Tennessee Titans, you would have expected Johnson to be reinvigorated. That doesn't seem to be the case. The euphoria did not seem to last and after the loss to the Cleveland Browns. Reports came out that Johnson and defender Minkah Fitzpatrick had to be separated after the receiver refused to stop "chirping" at the coaching staff.
As for his lack of effort on the Warren fumble, Johnson told the media he didn't see the fumbled ball, he was busy blocking the defender he was supposed to block. However, the video doesn't really support that. Taylor said he isn't going to jump on the bandwagon and bash Johnson. Johnson is a professional and according to Taylor, he will have to judge himself.
"The pursuit to the ball on Jaylen's fumble, that's what people are questioning, the effort part. I'm not going to question the effort part. Diontae gotta look himself in the mirror, he can answer those questions on his own. I just know the great ones, they don't see enough of the bag. They feel like they don't do enough on the field, they feel like they always leaving something, even though they are paid, even though they are Pro Bowlers, they feel like there is something more they can do other than just catch the ball if they are a receiver."
Taylor does think the Steelers have one receiver who is the "guy" when it comes to putting in the extra effort, George Pickens. Taylor sees the way that Pickens consistently puts himself out there to help the team. If he is not the intended receiver, he is picking up blocks or helping out in some other way. If a ball comes loose, Pickens is diving for it. He doesn't stop until the whistle blows the play dead.
Those players, who give that extra effort all the time are special. According to Taylor, those are the ones that rise to the top and are the ones that fans love so much.
"That's why we love GP so much if you a Steeler fan. You know if GP's not getting the ball, he's gonna do something that we're not asking receivers to do often, but he's willing to do. And when you're willing to do something that has nothing to do with you, but is for the sake of the team, that's what we look at, that's the effort."
To be fair, Pickens has certainly had his share of moments where his young age shows. During the 2022 season, Pickens was very upset about his lack of targets when the Steelers traveled to play the Atlanta Falcons. Who was mentoring him on the sideline? Johnson was.
Maybe Johnson is struggling to find his place on an offense that hasn't had an identity for a few seasons. It certainly seems likely. However, he is one of the most senior members of the offense and he has to act accordingly. His team needs him to give it 100% every time he steps on the field.
More must-reads: