When Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan extended wideout Diontae Johnson last offseason, it was seen as a steal. After some of the contracts that had just been fished out in free agency, particularly Christian Kirk’s four-year, $72 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Johnson’s seemed favorable. Khan was able to sign the team’s No. 1 wide receiver to a two-year, $36.71 million extension.
Johnson had continued his ascension in 2021, even making his first Pro Bowl. He was able to eliminate a vast majority of the bone-headed mistakes that plagued him in his first few seasons. Fast forward to the 2022 season, and it didn’t go as planned. Johnson dealt with quarterback change for the first time in his career, as Ben Roethlisberger was no longer under center. Mitch Trubisky started the first four games, whom was never able to build a chemistry with Johnson.
In fact, they had an argument at halftime of the Week 4 loss to the New York Jets. That’s when Kenny Pickett took over, who Johnson did get the ball from a bit more. Still, his cumulative numbers were disappointing. He had 86 catches for 882 yards in 17 games, while not having a single touchdown. Johnson broke the NFL record for most catches in a single season without a touchdown.
He even failed to register a single 100-yard game in 2022, something he did three times in 2021. It wasn’t the season he, nor the coaching staff, expected him to have. It’s led to many fans being frustrated with the four-year wideout, as he goes through several ups and downs. On Tuesday, he sent out this cryptic tweet:
This tweet seems intentional in how cryptic it is. Who knows what he means by it, but the speculation has already began as far as his future with the team. It’s likely referencing that he’s going to get to work this offseason and have a bounce back 2023 campaign. He is signed through the 2024 season, as the next two years provide a combined $32 million in the Steelers’ cap hit. Because of that large number and his disappointing performance this season, it’s interesting to think if the black and gold would move on from him.
To start, they’d have to get quite the return, which would include a high draft pick. After getting an early second-round draft pick for Chase Claypool a few months ago, they will hold Johnson’s value in even higher regard. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic linked Johnson to the Green Bay Packers last offseason before the extension. That would be a fit that would make sense, especially if Aaron Rodgers were to stick around.
It’s anyone’s guess as to what Johnson’s tweet meant, but we’ll find out in the coming months. Despite the down year, he’s still likely to be in a Steelers uniform to begin the 2023 season. Beyond George Pickens, who seemingly took over as the top dog in the passing game this year, there’s not a single proven WR on the roster at the moment.
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