Steelers' Mike Tomlin Makes Very Clear Statement About The Potential Of Diontae Johnson Returning To Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have really been affected by the absence of star wide receiver George Pickens. The offense's most consistent weapon has missed three games in a row, a stretch that has seen the franchise go on to lose two contests. It will be imperative to get him back as soon as possible, especially as the team approaches the 2024 playoffs. The pass-catchers on offense have had a tough time getting open, with opponents not having to worry so much about a dynamic route-runner looking for the ball. Even when Pickens returns, there are still some concerns about the capabilities of the receiving corps.

It has been a rollercoaster of a season for former Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson. Pittsburgh traded him to the Carolina Panthers, but then he ended up finding himself as a member of the Baltimore Ravens prior to the trade deadline. This went south, and extremely quickly. Baltimore waived Johnson prior to Saturday's game against the Steelers, sparking plenty of rumors about where the receiver could end up.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke with the media on Sunday as his group begins to prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. When asked about his thoughts about Johnson's availability and the possibility of claiming him before the deadline at 4pm on Monday, Tomlin answered in the only way he knows how. It's safe to say he wasn't worried about the idea of his former player potentially being available.

"I have nothing to add from someone that's not on our football team," Tomlin said.

The Steelers' head coach would never come out in a press conference and blatantly state that he is interested in bringing in a newly-waived player, but Tomlin did have some hesitation when answering the question. Pittsburgh traded Johnson for a reason, but if he were to come in and act selfless, it's hard to argue that he wouldn't make sense back in the Steel City.

Johnson only had one catch that went for six yards during his short stint in Baltimore. He played pretty well for the Panthers, hauling in 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns in a pretty abysmal offense. It's pretty wild to see just how quickly his career has turned upside down, but there may not be a better place to get it back on track than the organization that drafted him.

The most important thing when potentially inquiring about Johnson will be ensuring that locker room issues won't come with his arrival. There's no guarantee another team won't put a claim in for him, but it shouldn't come as surprising if the Steelers do. He is familiar with the franchise, majority of the coaching staff and players on the current roster.

Steelers Will Need To Rely On Passing Game In Playoffs

If Pittsburgh does indeed make a run in the postseason, not every game is going to be a blowout. Throwing the ball and relying on pass-catchers could absolutely determine the outcome of one, or multiple, games in the tournament. Johnson might not be a perfect fit in the locker room, which should lead to the Steelers passing on him if that is the internal belief. However, Tomlin didn't completely shut down the notion of the wide receiver returning.

Do you think that Johnson should return to the Steel City and help the Steelers during the playoff push? Let us know in the comments below!

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