Under the wings of Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers navigated through yet another challenging season, concluding with a record of 7-10. Amidst the struggles on the field, the team grappled with internal conflicts, with wide receiver Diontae Johnson’s name surfacing in the midst of the fray.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have assured Mike Tomlin of his job as head coach despite the team’s disappointing performance this season. However, the future of the Steelers’ star wide receiver remains uncertain.
Team tension casts doubt on Diontae Johnson’s Steelers future
As Diontae Johnson heads into the last year of his two-year contract extension signed in August 2022, he is now a focal point of trade rumors for the upcoming 2024 offseason. There is a possibility that there might be some tension between Johnson and the organization, as suggested by Steelers beat writer Brian Balko on a recent episode of The North Shore Drive Podcast.
“That’s something I’m wondering in the back of my head. With some of the stuff that went on with Diontae this year. It seems like there’s been a little bit more friction with him and the organization than in years past.”
His suggestion follows an evident disagreement with Mike Tomlin during the match against the Browns. Subsequently, a heated argument ensued between him and star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick after the game, necessitating intervention from teammates to diffuse the situation.
Throughout the season, the receiver made headlines for his outspokenness, particularly regarding the perceived favoritism towards the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 8 matchup. His vocal criticism led to a significant fine, raising eyebrows both within and outside the organization.
What is the Steelers’ Diontae Johnson contract?
In August 2022, Diontae Johnson inked a lucrative contract extension deal with the team. The agreement spans two years and boasts a hefty sum of $36,710,000, per Spotrac.
Within this deal, Johnson secured a substantial signing bonus of $17,500,000, contributing to an impressive average salary of $18,355,000 per year. Notably, the contract includes total guarantees amounting to $27,000,000, with $19,000,000 guaranteed at signing.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Diontae Johnson has consistently held the position of the team’s top receiver, maintaining this status for an impressive three consecutive seasons, spanning from 2020 to 2022.
As the 2023 season kicked off, he encountered a series of ups and downs. His season kicked off with a setback when he suffered a hamstring injury during the Steelers’ opener against the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn’t until after the team’s bye week, facing the Los Angeles Rams, that Johnson returned to the field.
Unfortunately, the Toledo native missed a total of four games due to a hamstring injury during the 2023 campaign. Despite the setbacks, he managed to secure the second-highest receiving yards on the team, amassing a modest 717 yards on 51 receptions in 13 games. However, his temporary absence paved the way for George Pickens to step into a more prominent role within the team.
Do you think the Steelers are on the way to parting ways with the star receiver?
