PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson could soon be leaving his third NFL team—and his second this season. The Baltimore Ravens are signaling that a roster change may be imminent.
Despite limited action in his first few games with the Ravens, Johnson did not play at all in the team’s Week 13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His sudden drop in playing time raised eyebrows and sparked speculation. When asked about Johnson’s status, head coach John Harbaugh didn’t rule out the possibility of a release.
“At this time, we’ll have to wait and see. There are a lot of moving parts we need to evaluate and explore. That’s the fairest approach for everyone involved,” said Harbaugh.
Johnson, who was traded from the Steelers to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson during the offseason, was initially seen as a key addition. However, the trade raised questions, given the typically higher value placed on wide receivers compared to cornerbacks.
As the season unfolded, it became clear the Steelers may have gotten the better end of the deal. After the Panthers’ season began to unravel, they opted to part ways with Johnson, trading him for a sixth-round pick. Once considered a valuable asset to bolster the receiving corps, Johnson now finds himself on the outside looking in.
The Steelers are unable to trade for Diontae Johnson because of an NFL rule that prohibits teams from re-acquiring players they’ve traded away for a period of two years. However, if Johnson were to be released, Pittsburgh would be free to make an offer to sign him.
If Johnson becomes available, Pittsburgh could be a team to watch. The Steelers haven’t utilized Mike Williams much since his acquisition and continue to rely heavily on Van Jefferson as their WR2. Still, until Johnson is officially released, any speculation remains just talk.
