This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers moved on from George Pickens, trading him to the Dallas Cowboys. He’s another example of the Steelers drafting a talented wide receiver but not keeping him long-term due to other issues. Pickens even got to watch that happen with Diontae Johnson. Johnson was a solid receiver with the Steelers, but since they’ve traded him, his career has nosedived. However, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey still thinks Johnson is an underrated player.
“A sneaky guy, obviously he’s had a very odd run as of recently, but I think Diontae Johnson is very sneaky,” Humphrey said recently on The Mina Kimes Show. “That guy, he’s nice. The guy gets open.”
While Johnson was with the Steelers, he had many battles against Humphrey. When Ben Roethlisberger was the Steelers’ quarterback, Johnson had some of his most productive years. In 2021, he posted 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. He looked like an ascending player.
Unfortunately, after Roethlisberger retired, the entire Steelers’ offense took several giant steps back. Johnson had a fine 2022, catching 86 balls for 882 yards, but he also didn’t score a touchdown. His 2023 season was similarly underwhelming.
The following offseason, the Steelers traded Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, and that’s where his career really started to slip away. He lasted seven games with the Panthers, recording 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
They traded him to the Baltimore Ravens with whom he got to team up with Humphrey. However, Humphrey didn’t get to see the same player who gave him fits when they played each other. Instead, Johnson barely played with the Ravens, only catching one ball before getting released. It was an ugly breakup.
After that, Johnson joined the Houston Texans, but his stint there was just as bad as his time in Baltimore. Now, he’s a member of the Cleveland Browns, trying to save his NFL career. Humphrey is correct that, at his best, Johnson is a great separator. His route running is his best ability.
However, he hasn’t been that same player in years. To go along with his declining skills, he’s had a host of personal issues. If Johnson flops with the Browns, he could very likely find himself out of the NFL. It’s not like Cleveland has revived a lot of careers over the years, either. The Browns still aren’t even sure who their starting quarterback is.
Maybe Johnson will bounce back, though. He’s still not even 30 years old. Last year could’ve given him a wake-up call. If he lasts the whole season with the Browns, he’ll get a chance to face both the Steelers and Ravens twice. Perhaps those familiar faces will help him get back on track.
