Steelers trade WR Diontae Johnson to Packers
Steelers get: 2nd-round pick in 2023, 3rd-round pick in 2024
Chiefs get: WR Diontae Johnson, 4th-round pick in 2024
Of the four hypothetical trade scenarios, this one is the most unrealistic. But if we truly believe that the Steelers aren’t going to be Super Bowl contenders for another two or three years, this would make sense from a business standpoint.
Pittsburgh handed Diontae Johnson a sizable contract that paid him upwards of $18 million per year this past offseason. However, Johnson has been inconsistent and hasn’t been utilized properly, so it’s almost impossible to argue that he’s been worth the money at this point. However, this is a player who has been very productive in the past, and a competitor would be very interested.
The Packers, for example, have made some investments recently at wide receiver, but they don’t have a true ‘X’ receiver on their roster. Johnson would give Aaron Rodgers a true go-to option on the outside that could really elevate their offense. He would instantly be the best route-runner on the team — something we know Rodgers values.
In exchange for Johnson and a future fourth-rounder, the Steelers could ask for a haul that includes a second-round pick in next year’s draft and a fourth-rounder in 2024. This would take another weapon away from Pickett but would load them up for a rebuild over the next two offseasons.
Again, there’s almost no chance these hypothetical trade scenarios come to fruition, but with the Steelers performing so poorly in 2022, they need to consider proactive moves that are best for their future prior to the NFL trade deadline. It will be interesting to see if Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have anything in mind before November 1st.