Steelers wide receiver sets big goals for 2023 season

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to get back to the playoffs in 2023, they are going to need a big bounce-back season from wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

He seems determined to make that happen and has set some pretty lofty goals for himself this year. 

"Definitely All-Pro," said Johnson on Tuesday at the start of Steelers' OTAs, via the team's website. "Pro Bowl. Over 1,000 yards. Over 100 catches. Top 10, top five. Saying that in the most humble way. Really, that is pretty much it."

Johnson signed a two-year, $36 million contract extension prior to the 2022 season and followed it up with a disappointing season that was marred by drops and inconsistency. He still managed to catch a respectable 86 passes, but that was a 21-catch drop from the previous season (in one extra game) while he averaged just 10.3 yards per reception without scoring a single touchdown. 

He also managed to catch just 58.3 percent of the passes he was targeted on, the lowest number of his four-year career. 

Drops have been a big problem for Johnson, as well as a bad habit of giving up ground and running backward after receptions. Still, he is one of the Steelers' best offensive players and does have serious big play ability that he has flashed at times throughout his career. He just needs to develop more consistency and a little more chemistry with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett. 

Along with George Pickens, the offseason addition of Allen Robinson and tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, the Steelers certainly have the potential to be a better offense than they were a year ago. Especially after making significant improvements to the offensive line and Pickett having another year of experience under his belt. 

There are a lot of people connected to Pittsburgh's offense that are facing big seasons in 2023 with something to prove. Pickett needs to take a big step forward, offensive coordinator Matt Canada needs to open things up a little more, and Johnson needs to prove his 2022 performance was an outlier as he tries to get a new contract. If he achieves those goals he set for himself, he will have certainly accomplished that.