We don't know what it is about Mike Tomlin, but it feels like he always knows just when to pawn a diva wide receiver off on an unsuspecting team before he plunges into full-blown implosion mode. This happened with Martavis Bryant and Antonio Brown. Now Diontae Johnson is the latest to join this group.
After sending Johnson to the Carolina Panthers during the 2024 offseason for cornerback Donte Jackson, Johnson spent just seven games on his new team before they decided they had enough and traded him to the Baltimore Ravens.
Now Steelers fans can sit back and watch Johnson destroy Pittsburgh's biggest AFC North rival from within.
On December 4, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Ravens are handing Diontae a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
ESPN sources: Ravens are suspending WR Diontae Johnson for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. pic.twitter.com/DzirewzSCI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2024
The Ravens took matters into their own hands after issues arose with Johnson's attitude. In Week 13, Johnson refused to enter the game late when called on. Now he won't see the field until at least Week 15, and Baltimore has to be kicking themselves, wondering if the trade was worth it.
Diontae Johnson becomes the latest in a long line of troubled ex-Steelers WRs
For whatever reason, the Steelers seem to find troubled receivers like it's nobody's business. After folks claimed Pittsburgh was foolish to trade away Johnson during the offseason and that they lost the trade, they knew just when to send him packing.
Despite earning 717 yards and five touchdowns in just 13 games last season, Johnson has just 357 yards entering Week 14 of 2024. What's even more comical is that the former Pro Bowl receiver for the Steelers now has just one catch on five targets for six yards in four games with the Baltimore Ravens.
This despicable production and efficiency is worse than anyone could have predicted.
The trade didn't cost Baltimore much -- just a late-round pick swap in the 2025 NFL Draft. But their decision to acquire the troubled wide receiver clearly isn't panning out, and his presence is causing division within the locker room.
At this rate, Johnson's NFL career could be finished in no time. The Pittsburgh Steelers once again ditched another receiver before he became unmanageable, and things aren't looking good for Johnson and the Ravens.