The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to cut ties with Diontae Johnson after the 2023 season and traded him to the Carolina Panthers. He lasted there a few months before he wore out his welcome mat, and they decided to trade him back to the AFC North. The Panthers gave the Baltimore Ravens Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. At the time, the Panthers were ridiculed for making such a terrible trade. The Panthers seem to be getting the last laugh as the Ravens announced Johnson's suspension. One Steelers insider said that no one should be surprised by this development.
Kenny Richmond / Carolina Panthers
Former Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson was with the Panthers.
Ravens Executive Vice President and General Manager Eric DeCosta announced the team decided to suspend Johnson for one game due to conduct determintal to the team. Apparently, Johnson refused to play in their Week 13 game against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Ravens lost 24-19.
If Johnson had played, that wouldn't have necessarily tipped the balance in their favor. He has not been very productive, playing in four games with one reception for six yards. His time in Carolina was better, although it wasn't extraordinary. He played in seven games and had 30 receptions out of 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently spoke with Joe Starkey on the Joe Starkey Show on 93.7 The Fan. Starkey asked him about the suspension, saying he seemed like a "quiet, humble" player, but now he's become a mini version of Antonio Brown. Fittipaldo said there are few receivers like Larry Fitzgerald in this world, but frankly, no one in the Steel City should be surprised by Johnson's refusal to play or his suspension.
"I mean, it's not just this year, though," said Fittipaldo. "He pretty much slugged it out with Mitch Trubisky in the locker room halftime of the Jets game and that was early in the 2022 season. He launched the Kenny Pickett era, unfortunately for all of us. Then there was that stuff with Minkah [Fitzpatrick] last year in the locker room. I mean, it's been going back for a while. It seems like when you're the number one guy, you get the targets, you want that money, I think there's diva qualities and ego that comes into play. Diontae Johnson is far past now, those days are gone for Diontae, but he still has those diva qualities and that's why he's probably gonna get cut here soon."
The Steelers have some really good locker room guys in their wide receiver room, according to Fittipaldo, who named Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson in particular. While those two might be more reminiscent of Hines Ward, the Steelers are dealing with their newest diva, George Pickens.
Jeff Dean / Associated Press
Steelers' George Pickens gestures toward Bengals fans.
When Johnson was traded, many assumed it was at least partly because the two were not good influences on each other. They have both been accused of not being good teammates, not blocking for their running backs, pouting, and creating drama.
Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson Might Need To Look In The Mirror
Johnson pleaded his case after he left Pittsburgh, saying he was misunderstood and needed a team to give him a chance. He hoped to get that in Carolina. However, he continues to do things that make people wonder exactly what he intends.
When the Steelers recently played the Ravens, Johnson said that Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin came up to wish him some encouragement. While the words he shared were nice, Johnson seemed to smirk and laugh as he recalled it. Even media members said that the Steelers weren't worried about Johnson. They didn't like him as a player or as a person.
Johnson has a history of being frustrated with the amount of targets he gets. This happened in Pittsburgh and apparently is part of what went wrong in Baltimore. If Johnson wants to continue to play in the NFL, he has to be more of a team player. He doesn't have the talent to make demands.
CBS Sports
Steelers Diontae Johnson appeared to give no effort toward recovering a fumbled ball by teammate Jaylen Warren.
Were you surprised by Johnson's suspension? Click to comment below.
#SteelerNation
