Former Steelers Receiver Diontae Johnson Attempted To Be An Offensive Leader But His "Weird" Way "Didn't Resonate"

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded veteran receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in yet another move by Omar Khan that showed the new direction the 2024 Steelers are heading. Johnson is considered one of the league's elite route-runners, but that didn't end up translating into the kind of production Pittsburgh expected. There were moments where Johnson's effort was questioned, and apparently, when he tried to act as a leader on the team, it didn't go over well.

Johnson never really reached the heights the Steelers hoped he would when they selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He only ever had more than 1,000 yards receiving in one season during his time with the Steelers (2021), which ended up being his lone Pro Bowl selection. In August of 2022, the Steelers signed Johnson to a two-year, $36.7 million extension, but he never lived up to that faith on or off the field. Mark Kaboly was on The Rich Eisen Show Friday and had a revealing answer when he was asked about the apparent lack of offensive leadership.

"I think you hit that nail on the head right there, on that offense was a bunch of young guys that just seemed like they were just looking for somebody to lead. I mean, Diontae Johnson tried to, but he did it in a weird way that really didn't resonate."

Whatever internal issues Kaboly was referring to, the point was that despite being paid and treated like a number-one NFL receiver, the role wasn't the right fit for Johnson. Najee Harris used the frustration of the 2023 season to grow into a more vocal member of the team, and the lack of leadership was something he took quite seriously. While Harris went over 1,000 rushing yards for the third consecutive season, he did so while watching the offense struggle for the majority of the season.

The Steelers aren't known for their willingness to spend money freely, so the substantial extension given to Johnson wasn't done out of the kindness of their hearts. The expectation was for Johnson to become as skilled at everything else as he was at running routes, but that didn't come to fruition. True upper-level receivers produce at consistent rates regardless of who they have throwing passes, so a 2022 season without a single touchdown was another negative on a growing list.

Whether it was the leadership issues, the inability to reach a higher ceiling, or a mixture of everything, Johnson eventually was traded to the Panthers. This leaves the receiver position room in Pittsburgh thinner than it was, but with hope in the talent they have on the roster.

Steelers Believe In Their Receiving Group

When the Steelers drafted George Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they knew they had gotten a steal. After two seasons, it is clear that they got it right regarding his talent. However, they are working on the maturity side of his game.

With Pittsburgh trading Johnson to Carolina, the burden now falls on Pickens to step up and fully blossom into the number one receiver he truly believes himself to be. He has shown tenacity for catching the ball at its highest point and the ability to battle for catches; now it's time for him to become well-rounded. Pickens has nearly 2,000 yards in his first two NFL seasons and is eager to build off that and prove that he is one of the league's elite pass catchers.

The Steelers signed Van Jefferson, who brings five years of NFL experience with the Los Angeles Rams and the Atlanta Falcons to the locker room. Between Pickens, Calvin Austin III, and whoever else joins the position group, Jefferson's experience will be a valuable resource. 

Pittsburgh is likely to draft a receiver at some point during the 2024 NFL Draft, which means the Steelers could be looking to Pickens for leadership sooner rather than later. As long as Pickens can avoid making the same mistakes as Johnson, Pittsburgh should have the makings of a strong receiving corps moving forward.

What receiver should the Steelers select in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

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