The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2024 offseason with far more questions than anyone could have anticipated when the 2023 season first began. It started with the question of who would take the place of much-maligned Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, which was quickly answered by the hiring of Arthur Smith. Next up on the agenda was dealing with some of the situations regarding players. That includes the quarterback mess the team seems to currently have on its hands. Will they go with Kenny Pickett? Will they keep Mason Rudolph? Who will start and who else will join the roster?
On top of all of that, the Steelers have dealt with some wide receiver drama this past year, with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens being at the center of it. Last season, the two got just as much attention for their off-field antics than their on-field ones. They both have a tremendous amount of talent, but it wasn’t being realized, and this was frustrating fans.
It seems obvious the team will stick with Pickens who is still on a rookie contract. The hope is that new Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni can rein him in a bit. What is less certain is what will happen with Johnson. He has one year left on his contract for $15.8 million. Now, a Steelers insider has dropped that he heard Johnson may be a “hold-in” like he did two years ago, but this time, it might be over who he thinks should be throwing him the ball.
Steelers’ Diontae Johnson May Take A Stand
According to Tim Benz, a reporter for TribLive, Mark Madden, who is a polarizing figure in the Pittsburgh sports world, told him about things he had heard from someone affiliated with the team. The rumor was that Johnson may not have a secure future in Pittsburgh. Benz confirmed that he had heard the same thing.
Madden and Benz do a podcast together and they discussed the quarterback situation, as well as the diva-like behavior of the Steelers wide receivers. In his recent column, Benz did a recap of the conversation they had on the show about Johnson’s future with the Steelers.
Johnson has not been quiet about the fact that he supports Rudolph as the starting quarterback. The team has not been quiet about the fact that they stand behind Pickett and most insiders agree that he will be the starting quarterback in 2024.
Both Madden and Benz think that it is outrageous the team would create a massive hole in the roster just because Johnson may not be 100% on board with Pickett starting. Benz said from his perspective, if true, it shows that the organization is way too concerned about Pickett’s feelings. It lends some credibility to the scenario because it is obvious that Benz and Madden heard it from two different sources.
“I guarantee we did not hear it from the same people,” said Madden. “I guarantee you heard it from somebody different.”
If Johnson is not brought back, it does leave a big hole at wide receiver that the team would have to try to fill on top of all the other many holes they have. While they might be known as “Wide Receiver University,” they can ill afford to spend a high draft pick on a receiver in 2024.
KARL ROSER / PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson (18) catches a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 13 regular season game.
What do you think about Madden and Benz’s comments on Johnson? Click to comment below!
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