The Pittsburgh Steelers made a widely criticized choice this offseason, electing to move on from veteran WR Diontae Johnson — the team’s leading receiver from 2020 to 2022 — in exchange for Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson and a late pick swap.

Despite plenty of traits that made Jackson special (and the fact that HC Mike Tomlin had been interested in bringing his skills to Pittsburgh for years), fans were left wondering what GM Omar Khan was thinking, sending out a key piece of the receiving corps without a contingency plan in place. Johnson, a former third-round pick (one of the two picks acquired in the trade of Antonio Brown to Las Vegas), was coming off his fifth season with the black and gold, having averaged just over nine targets per game over the past four seasons.

Though the move was initially met with criticism, it was immediately clear that his fit in Carolina was questionable. In a contract year, he’d been paired with a quarterback in development in Bryce Young, who'd been benched after a disastrous start to his second year, only to be traded to a Super Bowl contender in the Baltimore Ravens. Apparently, that wasn’t the right fit either, though.

In his four games active with the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson has totaled just five targets, catching one of them for six receiving yards, failing to surpass 17 offensive snaps in any game this year. Reports then surfaced of his refusal to enter their Week 14 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, resulting in a one-game suspension from the Ravens due to conduct detrimental to the team.

Now, heading into Week 16’s matchup with the Steelers, the team announced that they’d “mutually agreed” that Johnson would be excused from team activities. So, what gives?

No doubt, it’s an odd situation. Clearly, there’s an issue with Johnson’s perceived relationship with the team or role within the offense, regardless of the fact that this is a winning roster. After all, he’s playing for his future; even if he does walk away with a Super Bowl ring this year with Baltimore, what will it mean in 2025 and beyond as he seeks his next contract if he didn't play an integral role in attaining it?

It’s been consistently rumored since Johnson’s refusal to enter Week 14’s game that the Ravens could explore the option of releasing him to rid themselves of the distraction. However, given his history with the Steelers and Baltimore’s upcoming matchup with the black and gold in Week 16, it’s unlikely that move would be on the horizon ahead of Saturday.

If the Ravens were to release Johnson, he’d be subject to waivers, as all players are following the annual NFL trade deadline. That would mean the Steelers would be faced with the decision of whether or not to place a claim on Johnson. It’s abundantly clear, especially as Pittsburgh is managing an injury to star George Pickens, that this roster could use some depth at wide receiver.

However, the question is not whether or not Johnson is a fit in terms of needs. It’s a question of whether or not he can assimilate to the current culture that the team is trying to build and whether or not they’d like to take the chance of disruption, should things go awry.

So, with that, Steelers fans — we want to hear from you. If the Ravens cut Johnson, should Pittsburgh come knocking? Vote now!

Poll

If Diontae Johnson were to be released by the Baltimore Ravens, would you hope the Steelers make a waiver claim to acquire him?