Diontae Johnson Breaks Silence on Refusing To Enter Ravens’ 2024 Eagles Matchup

Since joining the Carolina Panthers in March 2024, Johnson had hardly gotten any playing time for the team. He recorded only 30 receptions for 357 yards in seven games. Therefore, he requested for a trade Baltimore at the trade deadline in October 2024.

The game was played at the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium on December 1, 2024. However, the kickoff happened at the cold temperature of 41 degrees, which hindered the player’s vision and gameplay.

Therefore, Johnson cited that it was a lack of playing time and the cold temperature that caused him to react this way.

Johnson’s insubordination came at a price. The Ravens suspended Johnson for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team. He was then waived off a week later. Since the incident, he has played only 39 snaps in four games.

A Look Into Diontae Johnson’s NFL Career

Diontae Johnson had an impressive collegiate career with the Toledo Rockets. He recorded 2,235 yards and 23 during his four-year career and subsequently declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Johnson as the 66th pick in the third round of that year’s draft. He went on to have a stellar 2021 season, where he recorded 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.

However, the Steelers traded Johnson to the Panthers in exchange for Donte Jackson and the 178th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 2024 period saw him moving around Carolina, Baltimore, and Houston. He finished that year accumulating 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns.

After a short stint with the Houston Texas, he was again reclaimed by the Ravens in 2025. However, Johnson was not eligible for postseason games with the Ravens after rejoining with the team.

The turnaround happened in April 2025, when the Cleveland Browns signed himto a one-year, $1.17 million contract.

However, the joy was short lived, as he was ultimately released by the team. This happened during the final 53-man roster cuts in August 2025 before the regular season began.

After a rollercoaster of an NFL journey, Johnson continues to be a free agent after a year and hopes to provide his services to an NFL team in the upcoming season.