Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson Enters Week 13 Facing Terrible Reality

The Pittsburgh Steelers have developed a strong reputation for drafting wide receivers throughout the 21st century. In recent years, however, several of these players with top-tier talent have found themselves on different teams not too long after starting their careers in the Steel City. There are a variety of different reasons as to why, but Diontae Johnson is the most recent example of a talented pass-catcher not working out. The organization traded him to the Carolina Panthers in the 2024 offseason, but that relationship even ended up being short-lived. The pass-catcher was dealt once again before the trade deadline, and to the Baltimore Ravens.

It was a bit unsettling for the Steelers' fan base when Johnson was sent from Carolina to Baltimore, but the receiver has yet to make a significant impact for the Ravens. He has been known to be an exceptional route-runner throughout his professional career, but has also displayed a tendency to cause some controversy in the locker room, specifically when it came to interactions with the media.

The Ravens may have a long-term plan for Johnson, but as it appears entering Week 13, he was a flashy name to have as the trade deadline approached, but Baltimore may not have really had a legitimate agenda for him down the stretch. Johnson has been down in Maryland throughout the course of four games, and failed to make his presence known.

The Ravens don't necessarily have an impressive passing game. John Harbaugh's group is looked at as an offensive juggernaut, but the main reasons for that assumption are the individuals named Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Mike Tomlin once had to deal with Johnson for a period of time, and it appears as if Harbaugh is saving the wideout for the right moment, or just simply removing him from the game plan.

Johnson's numbers with the Ravens speak for themselves. The unfortunate part for the former third-round pick is that he may end up in the bottom end of free-agent options in 2025. This isn't due to a lack of talent, but the reality for Johnson is that he will have spent 12 months with three different teams once the 2025 league year rolls around in March.

Steelers fans had sincere admiration for Johnson, but his questionable on-field routes after catching passes, along with poor judgement when speaking to the media off the field, led to some criticism. There's no doubt that he is still a talented professional football player, but his current trajectory should have himself and his agent worried as he approaches the 2025 calendar year.

If any player is traded, it's understandable for a coaching staff to ease that individual in for a week or two, but the fact that Johnson has been in Baltimore for nearly a month with only one catch to show for it enhances the narrative that Harbaugh isn't in a rush to utilize him. It has to be frustrating for the former Pro-Bowler, but history shows that he may not be a top wide receiver in the NFL ever again.

Steelers Still Missing Johnson In 2024 Despite His Lack Of Production Elsewhere

The Pittsburgh fan base was okay with trading Johnson in March of the 2024 offseason specifically because the belief was that someone better would come to town. Fast forward to almost December and the Steelers are desperate for a difference-making route-runner. George Pickens has been elite and Calvin Austin III has shown flashes, but not having a legitimate option on the outside to pair with Pickens has certainly hurt Pittsburgh as the 2024 campaign has progressed.

Do you think that Johnson's ability to perform at an elite level has been affected by the recent trades? Let us know in the comments below!

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