LOOK: Diontae Johnson responds to contract dispute report
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is pushing back against a report that he wants a new contract. After local radio host Andrew Fillipponi tweeted that Johnson did not attend the Steelers’ voluntary workout program Monday amidst contract disputes, the wideout responded.
In back-to-back tweets, Johnson refuted Fillipponi’s report, warning fans to not “believe everything you see.”
A third round pick out of Toledo in 2019, Diontae Johnson is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract with Pittsburgh in 2022. According to Spotrac, he will make a total of $3.07 million that includes a singing bonus of $283,357. Several other fourth-year receivers such as Terry McLaurin, AJ Brown and Deebo Samuel have also skipped offseason workouts as they await extensions.
Johnson is coming off of his best season as a pro in 2021, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. He finished as the Steelers’ leading receiver with 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns on 107 receptions, notching the first Pro Bowl appearance of his career.
Johnson has seen his numbers increase ever season since he entered the league in 2019. He was featured mostly on special teams as a punt returner his rookie season, earning second team All-Pro honors while averaging 12.4 yards per return. He also saw plenty of action as a receiver that season, breaking onto the scene with 680 yards and five touchdowns on 59 catches.
Although he might not have a new contract by the start of next season, at least one thing will be different for Johnson. The receiver will be without longtime Pittsburgh starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who retired this offseason after 18 years with the team. The Steelers signed former Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky this offseason, and also have backup Mason Rudolph coming back. It has also been rumored they could draft a quarterback in the first round.
The Steelers are coming off of a 9-7 finish and appearance in the AFC playoffs this past season. Regardless of what happens with Johnson and the quarterback expect them to once again compete in 2022. Throughout 15 seasons at the helm, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing record.