4 advantages of Steelers waiting on a Diontae Johnson contract extension

2. Steelers WR depth is suddenly very strong

Following the 2021 season, it looked like a no-brainer to get a deal done with Diontae Johnson. Now I’m not so sure. While I still think it’s something that is high on the priority list for the Steelers, we can now point to excellent depth as a reason Pittsburgh doesn’t need to overpay for the young wide receiver.

A few months back, the Steelers didn’t have another capable WR option outside of Chase Claypool, while JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud had each signed with a new squad early in free agency.

Fast forward to now, and the Steelers instantly have some quality depth with options like George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Miles Boykin, and Gunner Olszewski. This isn’t even mentioning former Bears’ second-round pick, Anthony Miller, who Pittsburgh picked up during the season last year.

While Pickens and Austin are unproven, they both possess excellent upside. Pickens, specifically, projects as an ‘X’ receiver, and the 21-year-old has the potential to fill Johnson’s shoes after the 2022 season. The depth at receiver is another reason the Steelers can wait before handing a blank check to Diontae Johnson.