The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few players that have one year left on their contracts that likely could get a new contract this off-season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick and Diontae Johnson top the list. Fitzpatrick is guaranteed to get whatever he demands. An All-Pro in 2019, and 2020, he had a down year statistically in 2021, but may have had his best overall season as a safety.
Now, Johnson is a wild card. He's clearly a head above the rest of the Steelers receivers, but his drops have reared its ugly head at times during the past two years. His route running is elite, but his hands sometimes fail him.
A very speculative report came out today from Andrew Fillipponi, host of 93.7 The Fan who is on site in Las Angeles at the Super Bowl.
I'd be fine with this. https://t.co/ipKgkyDcFF
— SteelerNation (@SteeIerNation) February 8, 2022
[incontent2]
Now at $15 million per season, Johnson would be outside the top 15 highest paid receivers by just the slightest margin. But his numbers don't lie. He's a top 15 receiver in the league. He's coming off his first 1,000-yard season, and first Pro Bowl appearance. He was Ben Roethlisberger's favorite target the past two seasons being targeted 169 times in 2021 and 144 in 2020.
Johnson of course has had his drop issues. He led the league in drops in 2020, before mostly correcting his issues in 2021. Johnson seemed to have completely gotten over his drop issues, until late in the season when a few slipped through his hands. Most importantly was a second quarter drop against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card game. Had Johnson caught it, the Steelers drive would've continued. Instead they punted and the Chiefs scored a touchdown to take a 21-7 lead at half time.
If Johnson does actually only want a 5-year, $75 million dollar contract, the Steelers should jump all over it. If his production continues at the pace it has so far in his career, three years from now his contract could be a major bargain!
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Let us know in the comments below!
