Batko: Steelers "Can Move On From" WR Diontae Johnson In 2024 After Eye-Opening Behavior

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the thick of things in a competitive and difficult AFC North division. The Cincinnati Bengals have fallen off a bit due to Joe Burrow's season-ending injury, but the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns both have their sights on a home playoff game. It's going to be a battle for the entire division in December and into January. One key component of championship-caliber teams is a lack of distractions in the locker room. Unfortunately for the Steelers, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has a couple of divas on his receiving core that aren't helping their cases.

There has been frustration with second-year pass catcher, George Pickens during his NFL tenure and he has been often labeled as immature. His partner-in-crime, Diontae Johnson, has also come into question in recent weeks due to a lack of effort on the field and temper tantrums on the playing surface, and in the locker room. It's becoming more of distraction and patience may be running thin in the Steelers' front office.

Brian Batko, a beat writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosted a fan chat on Monday as he usually does. There was plenty of criticism for Johnson, who currently only has 385 receiving yards in 2023. Batko kicked around the idea of releasing Johnson once the offseason comes around because of his poor performances and bad attitude.

"They're not going to release him right now. But they can move on from him after this season. If they cut him, they can save $10 million and have less than $6 million in dead money. Or, maybe someone trades for him and you can get something in exchange for him when he has a year left on his deal."

Many believe that the wide receiver under contract for 2024 that will be released is Allen Robinson II, who has been a great veteran presence in the locker room, but hasn't been a difference-maker on the field. If the disgruntled behavior from Johnson continues, it might be a legitimate possibility that the Steelers let go of Johnson and focus on the position in the NFL Draft and maybe even free agency.

Batko shared the fan's frustration regarding Johnson. He wrote that the team should never have given him a contract extension, even though it was done at a reasonable price at the time.

"I don't disagree with you. Was never on board with extending him, though I did think the value ended up being decent for the Steelers."

Pittsburgh's receiving core would take a hit in 2024 without Johnson. He is the Steelers best route runner, but it wouldn't be the first time the organization parted ways with a talented wideout. Just ask Antonio Brown how his foolish behavior potentially cost him a Hall of Fame career. The two aren't on the same level, but keeping guys that aren't good for the locker room around is a recipe for disaster and Pittsburgh will move on from guys who are distractions.

Johnson has six regular season games left to put the team over himself. The ultimate goal is getting into the playoffs and finding a way to make a run. The firing of former Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada should have everyone in the locker room feeling confident moving forward, but a bad attitude from Johnson is not something that can be tolerated.

Steelers Have Favorable Schedule To Start December

No one can ever be sure with a Tomlin-led team when it comes to inferior opponents. Historically, Pittsburgh has dropped multiple games in almost every season that they shouldn't have. The next three contests against the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts are all matchups the Steelers will be favored in. Johnson needs to get it together and prepare for a dominant stretch in December.

Do you think the Steelers could move on from Johnson in the 2024 offseason? Let us know in the comments below!

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