The wide receiver market continues to grow this off-season. That has to be concerning for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Earlier this week, rumors began circulating of Diontae Johnson reportedly looking for a big contract of $90 million over five years to stay with the Steelers.
Source: Diontae Johnson contract demands going up. Looking more like 5 years, $90 million.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 6, 2022
How it Started
When the Jacksonville Jaguars announced an eye-opening contract to Christian Kirk in March, the wide receiver market changed. Since then, we’ve seen Tyreek Hill sign a four-year, $120 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, Davante Adams signing a five-year, $141.25 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, and Stefon Diggs signing a four-year, $104 million contract extension with the Buffalo Bills. While the latter are undoubtedly premier talent in the NFL, it’s hard to compare their talent level to Johnson's because quite frankly, he isn’t there yet. However, because of Kirk’s contract, there is hope for Johnson’s request – but the Steelers shouldn’t budge – at least not yet.
The Problem for Johnson and the Steelers
In Johnson’s time thus far with Pittsburgh, drops have been a glaring issue. In 2020, he led the entire NFL with 13 drops, including some in critical moments of games. He’s since improved on his technique last season when he introduced a tennis ball machine into his workout routine that significantly improved his catch rate and limited his dropped balls to just five. “Sometimes you drop the ball – big deal,” said Johnson in a podcast interview with 93.7 The Fan. “The best of the best drop the ball and at the end of the day, I’m only human,” he adds. Diontae reiterated that he doesn't have a "drop problem."
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson | Twitter: @JSKO_Photography
You may remember seeing a rendition of his tennis ball routine during his pre-game warmups.
Diontae Johnson’s practice repertoire includes this exercise.
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) November 22, 2021
Note that he enlists help to do this daily at practice but also bought a machine to do at home.
The best players coach themselves up and enlist others to help. pic.twitter.com/BI39PHVmYD
Johnson also finished with the fifth-most receptions in the NFL last season (107) partially due to Ben Roethlisberger’s reliance on the shorter slant routes and out routes. Johnson's 107 receptions were the most of his career.
What Should Happen?
While he has shown signs of improvement, that was essentially his only solid season in four years in the NFL, making his $90 million demand a tough sell for someone who is still improving on the drop issue that has prevented him from becoming a reliable threat. The departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster this off-season gives him an opportunity to build off his strong season to potentially replicate those numbers. But until then, Pittsburgh should hold off on extending an offer until the end of the 2022-2023 season and until the tennis ball routine is no longer a thing.
Johnson will be entering the final year of his four-year deal where he is set to make just under $3 million – ranking his contract at 136 out of 378 wide receivers in the league.
READ MORE ON DIONTAE JOHNSON
Do you think Johnson deserves his rumored contract request? Let us know in the comments below!
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