The Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to a monster extension just a few weeks ago, making him the league's highest paid safety. With plenty of cap space left to spend, star wideout Diontae Johnson figured to be the next Steeler to receive an extension. Kicker Chris Boswell is the other player still waiting for an extension, but Johnson's situation seems to be taking up the most attention.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin signed a three-year, $71 million extension a week ago. McLaurin comes from the same 2019 NFL Draft class as Johnson, and the two have strikingly similar numbers. In other words, McLaurin's extension wasn't exactly good timing for the Steelers. Now, they'll likely have to match, or at least come near that $23+ million per year, in order to lock Johnson up long-term. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly essentially reiterated those thoughts on Tuesday:
"They aren't offering him anything near McLaurin or anybody else that got more than $20 million per year. They will offer him something, and it won't be what he thinks he can get on the market, and he will get paid next year somewhere else."
Notice the end there, as Kaboly says Johnson will get paid somewhere else next year. It's looking more and more likely that this will be Johnson's last season in black and gold. The Steelers already missed their window of opportunity, as signing him before McLaurin was the best option. Now, they would have to sign him with the likes of the best WR's in football.
Historically, the Steelers don't throw out big money to wide receivers, as they've been able to consistently rebuild that room through the NFL Draft. Antonio Brown was the obvious exception, but he was a once-in-a-generation player, arguably the best of his generation. They even reached multiple long-term extensions with him. First, it was a five-year, $42.5 million deal in 2012. Next, in 2017, they made him the league's highest paid wide receiver with a four-year, $68 million extension. While he still performed at an elite level, the team got just two years out of him in that deal before he went erratic.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, left, meets with Antonio Brown before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Other than Brown, and Hines Ward, the Steelers historically don't hand out large contract extensions to their skill position players. Just over the last 15 years, the team has let plenty of talented WR's go into free agency, including Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Wallace, Santonio Holmes and most recently, JuJu Smith-Schuster. Even with Ward, his deal was only four years for $22 million in 2009, so it's not like the team made a huge risk with a ton of money. Wide receivers now make quadruple that money, including the likes of McLaurin and Johnson.
Can the Steelers afford to lose Johnson?
It still remains a possibility that the Steelers pay Johnson, but all the signs seem to be pointing to the opposite, for the moment at least. Perhaps this has been their plan all along, as evidenced by selecting two wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft with George Pickens and Calvin Austin III. Those two, alongside Chase Claypool, would help make up for the potential loss of Johnson. That likely wouldn't be enough for a guy coming off his first 1,000+ yard season, though, as the team would likely have to dip into the draft again in 2023.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson (#18) and Chase Claypool (#11) celebrate at Heinz Field. | The Athletic
Are you guys optimistic for the Steelers to get a deal done with Johnson before the season starts? Do you think Johnson is worth McLaurin's deal? At what price would you say no to Johnson? Let us know your thoughts on the latest update regarding Diontae Johnson's contract situation!
#SteelerNation
