Diontae Johnson’s Targets Down For Pittsburgh Steelers With Salary Set To Go Up

Diontae Johnson is frustrated.

He signed a contract extension in August with the Pittsburgh Steelers that pays him like a No. 1 wide receiver, even though its length is shorter than for most premier players at the position.

Johnson got a two-year, $36.71-million contract that covers the 2023 and 2024 seasons with $27 million guaranteed. He is making $1.5 million this season in the final year of his rookie contract.

The sides struck a deal after Johnson made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2021 in his third NFL season.

The Steelers haven’t utilized Johnson like a normal WR1 since rookie Kenny Pickett replaced Mitch Trubisky at quarterback midway through the Week 4 loss to the New York Jets.

While Johnson’s targets are close to what they were before the QB switch, he has become a disappearing part of the offense in two games since the Steelers have returned from their bye. He was targeted just five times in each game – a win over the New Orleans Saints and a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals – and had four receptions both times.

However, the most revealing stat is Johnson does not have a touchdown catch this season in 51 receptions through 10 games for a team that is just 3-7. He also has just 456 yards after compiling 1,161 yards and eight TDs on 107 receptions last season.

“I know it looks like I’m (not) involved (that much),” Johnson told reporters this past week as the Steelers prepared to visit the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football. “It is what it is. It’s the situation I’m in. So, I’ve got to deal with it.”

Johnson had just 21 yards on his four catches in the loss to the Bengals. Cincinnati used double coverage on him throughout the game.

Coach Mike Tomlin says the extra attention paid to Johnson by opponents is a residual effect of the Steelers having an inexperienced receiver corps.

“Let’s be frank. Diontae is a known commodity within the group,” Tomlin said during his weekly news conference. “So, people are going to have an agenda to minimize his impact on the game, particularly in significant moments, possession downs, red zone.

“When you’ve got a guy that’s been a Pro Bowler, and really he’s the only one in a young group, that’s a component of it. How do you open up opportunities for a guy like that? Other guys make plays. (Rookie wide receiver George) Pickens had a nice game. (Tight end Pat) Freiermuth had a nice game. Those things create opportunities and balance within your attack and opportunities for a guy like Diontae like you mentioned.”

Pickens had four receptions for 83 yards last week and Freiermuth added 79 yards on eight catches.

Tomlin knows that Johnson is frustrated but does not believe he could become a distraction in what is all but a lost season for the Steelers.

“He wants to be a component of why we win and a significant component. But he’s also a professional,” Tomlin said. “He understands the dynamics of team play and what has to transpire for him to get opportunities. As a young guy, he was the beneficiary of that in the past as people focused their energies on other known guys.”