Steelers: Diontae Johnson training camp hold-in decision still on hold
The Pittsburgh Steelers top pass-catcher in 2021 is entering the final year of his contract. How much of Diontae Johnson will we see in training camp?
What a difference less than 24 hours and different opinions make.
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter their first training camp without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger since 2003. The franchise was busier than usual this offseason when it came to free agency. There’s a new man with the title of defensive coordinator and one intriguing coaching hire as well.
Besides the discussion as to who will be the successor this offseason, a big topic when it comes to the team has been the status of wide receiver Diontae Johnson. He comes off a career showing in 2021, totaling 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns, and wound up in the Pro Bowl.
Steelers: Could Diontae Johnson’s training camp be on hold?
But the 2019 third-round selection from the University of Toledo is entering the last year of his initial NFL contract. As has been well-documented, it’s been an amazing offseason for his fellow wideouts. And no doubt, Johnson would like to be part of the financial boon. For players who are drafted outside the first round, their second contract is very important.
So there were questions out there regarding what could be expected from Johnson during camp. Hence this news on Tuesday.
Tomlin said Diontae Johnson reported as expected and will work, as expected, throughout this camp. There will be no “hold-in.”
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) July 26, 2022
But there was also this revelation on Wednesday morning.
Asked if he will be a full participant in team drills at tracing camp, Steelers WR Diontae Johnson said “We’ll see.”
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) July 27, 2022
Implied his agent might advise him not to.
Johnson was a much-improved player in 2021 after a season in which he struggled with drops the previous year. He and his representative(s) have certainly seen the money given to many of the league’s wide receivers this offseason. But whether the player is a full participant during training camp may be another issue indeed.
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Obviously, it’s a very big year for Johnson. He led the Steelers in all three key receiving categories this past season. The club’s second-leading wideout in terms of receptions in 2021 was Chase Claypool. It already figured to be an interesting summer in Latrobe, PA. And it’s never dull when it comes to Mike Tomlin’s team.