Steelers: 3 next moves after extending Minkah Fitzpatrick

Steelers rumors: Diontae Johnson extension?

So, this is less a move Pittsburgh must make, but instead something they must decide on. Is Johnson a key part of the Steelers’ offense long-term, or do they believe they can move on from him when his contract is up?

The longer Pittsburgh waits on Johnson, the more likely it is that he plays himself out of whatever contract the Steelers prefer to give him. Should they signed him right now — as a potential Pro Bowl-level talent, but not a player who has yet reached his heights — perhaps they can afford him. Heck, even with Fitzpatrick’s extension in place, Pittsburgh still has cap room left.

The Steelers have a knack for drafting wide receivers, specifically in the middle rounds. Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, George Pickens and more are of that mold. Losing Johnson wouldn’t be the end of the world, at least from the outside looking in.

Without Roethlisberger, is Johnson still the kind of playmaker on the outside we’ve grown accustomed to? Or was Diontae merely a byproduct of his surroundings?

I do not have the answer, but I do know that if the answer to most of those questions is ‘Yes’, then it’s in the Steelers’ best interest to sign him now, rather than wait for the Pro Bowl campaign that may follow.