So much for the alleged feud between Pittsburgh Steelers' backup quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky and top wide receiver, Diontae Johnson. After a supposed locker room dispute during halftime back in Week 4 between the two, it sure seemed as if they were on the same page Sunday when the organization beat the Carolina Panthers for the seventh straight time, 24-16 on Sunday afternoon. Trubisky was able to find Johnson 10 times for 98 yards and the duo connected multiple times on key third downs which was a main contributing factor to the win. It was the first time the pass catcher had a 100% catch rate in his career.
Here's a great stat for Diontae Johnson. Sunday's win was the first time in his career he's posted a 100% catch rate on 10 or more receptions.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) December 18, 2022
Diontae caught a season-high 10 passes on 10 targets. His 98 receiving yards was also a personal best for 2022.
The wide receiver, who is still very much on pace to have the worst season of his career besides his rookie campaign, was vocal about wanting third-string quarterback, Mason Rudolph getting an opportunity to start with Kenny Pickett sidelined due to the NFL's concussion protocol:
“I want to see him play,” Johnson said on Thursday. “I know he’s ready to play. I know it’s probably in the back of his mind, ‘Dang, when am I going to get my chance?’ I feel like this week is it for him. I know he’s going to do everything it takes to be prepared this week and get ready for Sunday.”
Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson lines up at the line of scrimmage prepared to run a route against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium during a 2022 regular season game. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
That kind of comment can certainly lead to a bit of criticism and even distrust within a locker room, but given his 10 targets on Sunday, Trubisky did not think too much of the receiver's clear favorable opinion of Rudolph.
Despite the strong performance, Johnson continues to show a little bit of immaturity on the field, even though he is the leader within, not only his positional group, but the team as well.
The most notable and senseless act of the game was hybrid linebacker, Marcus Allen inexcusably approaching the Panthers' special teams huddle at the end of the third quarter. He ended up being flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and giving Carolina a first down despite it being an unmanageable 4th and 27. This overshadowed and distracted the black and gold faithful from the idiotic penalty Johnson committed earlier in the game.
Johnson made an incredible move after catching a pass on 3rd and 6 inside the red zone midway through the third quarter. He has been heavily criticized for failing at making something out of nothing this season, but his elusiveness was on display here until he clearly taunted Panthers' safety, Xavier Woods following the whistle. When asked about being flagged, he decided to pretend like it was a misunderstanding, rather than owning up to his mistake.
"I didn't even see him there. I was just in the moment. It wasn't anything towards him. I was just excited."
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson participates in warmups at Acrisure Stadium before a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 2, 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
It will get swept under the rug because the Steelers went on to score and the penalty ended up being a non-issue, but watching it back, there is not a single scenario where Johnson didn't see Woods. The taunting was clear and the officials made the right call. The excitement and passion from him is understandable given how the season has gone for him thus far, but there shouldn't be anything that hurts the team's chances of winning in lieu of that fire within him.
Do you think that Johnson solidified himself as the franchise's clear-cut #1 wide receiver on Sunday? Let us know in the comments below!
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