Players of the Pittsburgh Steelers were obviously frustrated after losing to the Cleveland Browns in Week 11. But that frustration apparently boiling over more than just through answers with the media.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had a “heated post-game locker-room argument” after losing to the Browns on November 19. The argument was so intense, according to Schefter, that veteran defenders Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt had to break up Johnson and Fitzpatrick.
“Sources: Steelers WR Diontae Johnson got into a heated post-game locker-room argument last Sunday with teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick, before Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt broke up the altercation and delivered a message that the team needed to stick together,” Schefter wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Sources: Steelers WR Diontae Johnson got into a heated post-game locker-room argument last Sunday with teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick, before Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt broke up the altercation and delivered a message that the team needed to stick together.…
It’s unclear what the argument was about.
Fitzpatrick didn’t play in the game. Johnson, like most Steelers offensive players, had a disappointing outing with only 2 catches for 16 yards on 8 targets.
Diontae Johnson Separated From Minkah Fitzpatrick, Member of Steelers Coaching Staff
Johnson’s argument with Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only one the Steelers wide receiver was involved in during or after the matchup with the Browns.
The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly wrote on November 20 that Johnson was “visibly upset on the sidelines” during the second half. Kaboly didn’t refer to the incident as “an argument” or “altercation.” But Kaboly added that rookie tackle Broderick Jones picked up Johnson and carried him away from a coaching staff member.
“That led to a lengthy sideline talk between Johnson and coach Mike Tomlin during the give-and-take moment,” wrote Kaboly.
Johnson spoke only very briefly with the media after the game, saying, “You all saw what happened.”
The Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada on November 21. By the time Johnson met with reporters again on November 22, the sideline incident became a footnote to Pittsburgh’s coaching change.
But with Schefter’s new report that something also happened with Johnson in the locker room after the game, he’s likely to face questions about his Week 11 frustrations.
Steelers Players Frustrated After Loss to Browns
In addition to Johnson, running back Najee Harris was upset after falling to the Browns in Week 11. He voiced his frustration to reporters following the contest.
“You can do one of two things. You can look at the record and say, ‘Ok, we’re still good right now or you can look at the record and say if we keep playing this football, how long is that s*** going to last,’” said Harris.
“I look at it like how long is that s*** going to last.”
The running back added that a lot is happening that “you guys don’t see” and that he was “just tired of this s***.”
It’s still not clear exactly what Harris was specifically talking about with his last comment. But it’s possible that he was referring to the Johnson-Fitzpatrick argument.
The Steelers only had 249 offensive yards, including only 106 passing yards in the 13-10 loss to the Browns. So it’s understandable for Johnson and the offensive players to be frustrated.
However, it’s obviously key for players to keep their frustration constructive. It appears Johnson may not have done that on multiple occasions during Week 11.
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Steelers Had ‘Heated Locker-Room Argument’ After Browns Loss: Report