The Pittsburgh Steelers were criticized for trading receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers early in the 2024 offseason.
General manager Omar Khan doesn’t seem so crazy now.
Johnson didn’t last a full season with the Panthers, getting shipped ahead of the trade deadline to the Baltimore Ravens. That’s not an indictment on his value – but his price is. Johnson and a sixth-round pick was traded to Baltimore for a fifth-round pick in what could come out to be fewer than a dozen-pick difference in the 2025 NFL Draft; all but meaningless that late on Day 3.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
He’s already proved his (lack of) worth to the Ravens.
After just one catch for six yards in his first four games with Baltimore, Johnson did not appear in Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But it wasn’t because the Ravens didn’t want him on the field.
Johnson refused to enter the game, presumably unhappy about his playing time. He has since been suspended for the team’s next game, Week 15 against the New York Giants.
“We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team,” Baltimore said in a statement. “Diontae’s suspension stems from refusing to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“We will have no further comments on this matter going forward.”
Pittsburgh will visit the Ravens for Johnson’s return to action, although his role remains unclear.
Baltimore traded for Johnson as depth behind receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor. But he hasn’t made any semblance of an impact, and the way things are trending, there isn’t much coming.
