According to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, the Pittsburgh Steelers could trade wide receiver Diontae Johnson this offseason.
Johnson, though, seemed unfazed by Pauline’s report, which surfaced on March 3. The wideout appeared to respond to the trade rumor on social media hours after the report.
“People just be talkin,” Johnson wrote on X (formerly Twitter) along with a yawning emoji.
In the 10 minutes after that tweet, Johnson posted two more tweets. While the first one was more cryptic, the second one appeared to again address the trade rumor.
“It is what it is,” Johnson wrote with a shoulder shrug emoji.
Pauline reported on March 3 that the Steelers aren’t against moving on from Johnson through a trade this offseason.
“While it’s not fair to say Johnson is on the trading block, several people tell me the Steelers are open to moving the receiver if they receive fair compensation,” wrote Pauline.
Could the Steelers Trade WR Diontae Johnson?
Pauline wasn’t the first to report Johnson has an uncertain future with the Steelers. TribLive.com’s Mark Madden said on the February 19 episode of Breakfast with Benz podcast that the Steelers could move the 27-year-old wideout this offseason.
“I’ve heard Diontae Johnson’s future is in doubt,” Madden said. “I’ve heard whispers he plans to have a hold-in again, like he did two years ago, because we’re going into the last year of his contract, and he’s going to make noise over Pickett at quarterback.”
Johnson will enter the final year of his contract in 2024. At the NFL combine, Steelers general manager Omar Khan declined to comment on whether the team has made any progress in contract negotiations with Johnson this offseason.
If there hasn’t been any progress, the Steelers could explore trading Johnson before a potential training camp holdout. Johnson’s relationship with quarterback Kenny Pickett could be another factor.
After the season, Johnson supported Mason Rudolph as the team’s future starting quarterback.
“I hope he gets the job next year, and do what he’s got to do, but he did a great job in my opinion,” Johnson told reporters, via SI.com’s All Steelers’ Noah Strackbein.
Pickett isn’t guaranteed to be the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh again. But it’s trending that way. He is currently the only signal caller on the Steelers roster.
If the Steelers anticipate Johnson becoming a problem during the 2024 season, it might be prudent to trade him before the situation gets dire.
Why the Steelers Probably Won’t Trade Johnson
While Pauline’s report may not be entirely out in left field, it’s far from a guarantee that the Steelers will trade Johnson.
Even if the team anticipates losing him in free agency next year, the Steelers need Johnson for Pickett’s development.
Assuming Pickett is the team’s starting quarterback, the 2024 season will determine if Pickett has what it takes to be Pittsburgh’s guy behind center. With that in mind, the Steelers should want to put their young quarterback in the best position to succeed.
Trading one of the team’s top receivers is the exact opposite of that. Johnson has recorded at least 50 catches and 680 receiving yards in all five of his NFL seasons.
In 13 games last year, Johnson posted 51 catches for 717 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Johnson’s best statistical campaign came in 2021 when he registered 107 catches for 1,161 yards and 8 touchdowns. That was Ben Roethlisberger’s final season.
If the Steelers have competent quarterback play, and Johnson is healthy, he has the potential to post those numbers again in 2024.
Therefore, the compensation may have to be more than “fair” for the Steelers to depart with Johnson.
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Steelers WR Diontae Johnson Appears to Clap Back at Trade Rumblings