Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson managed to go the entire season and not catch a touchdown pass. The Steelers number one receiver, who received a preseason two-year extension for $36 million dollars, responded with his worst season since his rookie year in 2019. Johnson angered a large portion of the fan base with the return of key drops and his sudden penchant for running backwards when he caught the ball.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 05: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 5, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
He didn’t upset his former quarterback; in fact, the future Hall of Fame signal-caller has sung the praises of his former number-one receiver throughout his first season as a spectator. The most recent Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger was no exception as he warmed up the band and belted out a familiar tune:
“There is some sort of number they showed during the game that Diontae Johnson has had so many catches,” Roethlisberger said. “Maybe second in the NFL or something, all-time catches without a touchdown. Which blows my mind, because the dude is so stinking good.”
To correct Roethlisberger, Johnson now has the most receptions ever for a receiver to not score a touchdown. It is a stat that has stood for 40 years.
Diontae Johnson now #1 in the NFL in "Getting Open" score. George Pickens #2 in the league in "Making the Catch" score. Impressive. #Steelers need to get more out of the passing game.https://t.co/UNxO3PN8Gq
— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) January 2, 2023
According to ESPN analytics, they ranked Johnson as the best receiver in the NFL at getting open. He is often praised as a gifted route runner, but is often roasted for his hands. His teammate, George Pickens magnifies the issue because the same analytics ranked the rookie as the best at catching the ball in his first season in the NFL.
Matt Canada must have been keenly aware of the statistic, and it seemed on Sunday he was intent on getting Johnson the elusive touchdown. He was tackled short of the goal line on a long run after a catch that ultimately resulted in a Najee Harris fumble. The next two red zone opportunities were not wasted in efforts to get the ball to Johnson:
“It was so apparent and obvious that they were trying to get him the ball in the red zone,” Roethlisberger concluded. “He is wide open twice and the ball got tipped at the line of scrimmage. Come on Kenny, get the ball around them.”
Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger | Channel Seven YouTube
Canada wasted a large portion of the season by running a predictable and sometimes laughable offense that dug the Steelers into a hole so deep, they could not get out of it. According to some Steelers insiders, Canada has a fair chance of retaining his position, but if that is the case, things have to change for the black and gold. It is debatable whether the offensive coordinator can be the agent of that change.
Ben Roethlisberger was obviously kidding when he mentioned Kenny Pickett, but Johnson had his opportunities. In the New York Jets game, he was unable to drag his toe in the end zone, which might have changed the entire season. He failed to score a touchdown, and then at halftime, started a fight with then first-string quarterback, Mitch Trubisky. The result was Trubisky was benched for Pickett and Johnson would end up in a run-heavy offense that no longer featured the passing game.
The Steelers are fortunate to have an abundance of wide receiver talent and much has been made of Johnson’s attitude. Some attacks are warranted, and some are made up, but there is no doubt that the Steelers need him to return to the form he displayed last year when he made the Pro Bowl. Pittsburgh is good at drafting wide receivers, but they just signed Johnson to an extension. He has to produce, or they have to get maximum trade value for him.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The fifth-year pro could be as close as the rookie Pickett’s continued maturation and a big step forward in his second season. The Steelers only threw 12 touchdown passes on the season, and if Pickett is the player that the entire fan base thinks he is, that number is likely to double next season. Johnson and Pickens should be the biggest beneficiaries of that leap.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you confident that Johnson will bounce back next season and get back to his Pro Bowl form? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
