The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Miami Dolphins 16-10 in South Florida on Sunday night, and they fell to 2-5 on the season. The Steelers' offense let down the team in a winnable game which has been the script for most of the 2022 campaign. The popular targets on offense are Matt Canada, Mitch Trubisky and a now-growing Twitter faction that wants to give up on Kenny Pickett after two and a half games. Chase Claypool is another popular target for Steelers fans and was the subject of trade rumors last week.
Photo Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Canada is a disaster, but the Steelers have a more pressing problem. Specifically, a $36,710,000 problem named Diontae Johnson. Johnson has been a malcontent since his training camp hold in and his play has reflected his terrible attitude. Reports of a locker room confrontation with Trubisky that got the quarterback benched paired with lackluster route running and a lack of concentration have become increasingly magnified. He is no longer the Pittsburgh Steelers best option, but Canada has not gotten the message.
Johnson was the target on both of Pickett’s fourth-quarter interceptions that ended drives for the game-winning score. The throws by the rookie were not the smartest reads but both routes were lazy efforts from Johnson. If the Steelers have anything cooking with the Green Bay Packers to trade a receiver, they should insist that Johnson, not Claypool is the asset exchanged. The Packers are so starved for talent at the position, they might overpay for the former Pro Bowl player.
Diontae Johnson on fan criticism: “Ya’ll are watching us at the end of the day.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) October 10, 2022
Adds, “if ya’ll are so good, come out here and help us.” #Steelers @937theFan
Johnson has criticized fans, fought with teammates and despite lip service has demonstrated he does not want to be a Pittsburgh Steelers player. George Pickens is better than Johnson. The 2022 second-round draft pick is the Steelers best option and the sooner they clear Pickett’s vision of the field, the better. Johnson threw a tantrum about Trubisky not targeting him and if he will do that with a veteran, what is he doing to the rookie? It cannot be a coincidence that Johnson was repeatedly targeted in big spots despite the fact that Pickens and Pat Freiermuth were consistently more reliable options.
Photo Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Claypool has his own set of problems, but he is young and makes mistakes that demonstrate his attention to detail is lacking. Prior to Pickens proving he is a budding superstar that will at least attempt to break up bad throws by his quarterback, Johnson was the Steelers' clear number-one receiver. The Steelers need to be honest and clean out malcontents and players that are not laying it all on the line. Johnson is at the top of a thankfully shortlist for the Steelers.
Most of Johnson’s receiver contemporaries from his draft class got long-term commitments from their teams. Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf all got significantly bigger and longer commitments from either team, or in Brown’s case his new team, than Johnson got from Pittsburgh. Arguably his talent is in their class and the Steelers rarely let talent escape, but after the Antonio Brown circus, it is clear he isn’t worth it. If the Steelers can turn him into multiple draft picks, they should do it.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif / Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Johnson’s production while playing with Ben Roethlisberger should attract receiver-hungry teams who are competing for playoff spots. The Packers are not out of the race in the NFC, but they need a number-one wide receiver. Other than within the division, all options should be on the table and even if Calvin Austin can’t return, Pickens, Freiermuth and Claypool are better options for this team at this point in terms of Pickett's development. They may not be the route runner that Johnson is, but if he is not going to catch the ball or give his all, it really does not matter.
Coach Mike Tomlin wants volunteers, not hostages. Johnson is worse than a hostage at this point. He is a saboteur and the faster the Steelers move on from the malcontent, the better.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you disgusted with the effort from Diontae Johnson? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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