Steelers' Diontae Johnson the next WR to earn a 'big-money' deal?

If nothing else, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool elicited plenty of reactions when he said during a recent appearance on the "I Am Athlete" podcast that he considers himself "a top-five receiver" and even "a top-three receiver" in the entire NFL. 

Respectfully, the numbers indicate otherwise. Per ESPN stats, Diontae Johnson led the Steelers for the 2021 season with 107 receptions, 169 targets, 1,161 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches. Claypool, meanwhile, contributed 59 receptions for 860 yards and two scores. 

A.J. Brown, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs and Hunter Renfrow are among the recognizable receivers who were paid in big ways earlier this offseason. Per Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus, Johnson and not Claypool could be one of the next players at the position to put pen to paper on what Meirov referred to as a "big-money extension." 

Meirov points out that Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and earned a Pro Bowl nod for his efforts last season. 

"The Steelers just got done with Minkah Fitzpatrick, so Johnson would logically be the next man up for a long-term deal," Meirov explained. "But talks are in the early stages, and it’s fair to wonder if Pittsburgh will load up the Brinks truck for a wide receiver considering where the market is and their consistent draft success at the position. Reminder: Pittsburgh just used a second-round pick on George Pickens and a fourth-round pick on Calvin Austin III." 

Meirov didn't note that Pittsburgh will also have a new starting quarterback following the retirement of future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger. It's assumed that free-agent acquisition Mitchell Trubisky will eventually officially win the gig over career backup Mason Rudolph and first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett, and it's currently far too early to say how often Trubisky will look for Johnson when the games start to matter. 

If, for example, Claypool becomes Trubisky's favorite target this fall, Pittsburgh waiting to pay Johnson may end up proving to be a wise decision.