Steelers: Diontae Johnson’s praise of Andy Reid perceived as shot at Matt Canada

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson loves that Andy Reid lets his players design plays. Should Matt Canada do the same?

Given last season’s offensive output, it couldn’t hurt matters to allow some Steelers players — such as quarterback Kenny Pickett — to receive some input on the play-calling. Matt Canada was hamstrung slightly by a rookie quarterback and poor offensive line play, but let’s not pretend the frustration in Pittsburgh was unwarranted.

Diontae Johnson witness that first-hand. Canada looked out of his depth at times. Some of that may be growing pains, but more feedback on his play selection is bound to come with time.

In the Netflix series ‘Quarterback’, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes gave football fans some insight as to his role in designing the Kansas City offense. Johnson likes the idea.

Steelers: Did Diontae Johnson take a shot at Matt Canada?

Praising Andy Reid should not be viewed as a shot at Canada. Reid is one of the better offensive minds in football history for a reason. But this, paired with Johnson’s criticism of the Steelers system in the past, was bound to raise some eyebrows.

“We just gotta play better,” Johnson said following a Steelers’ 35-13 blowout loss to the Eagles last season in Philadelphia. “Y’all obviously know what’s wrong. [We’re] just out there playing, trying to win.”

Johnson and Canada ended up moving past that comment, something that was surely addressed behind closed doors. Entering this offseason, Diontae had high expectations of himself, and hopes to make significant strides in a Steelers offense that should be vastly improved under Canada and Pickett in year two.

“Definitely All-Pro, Pro Bowl. Over 1,000 yards. Over 100 catches. Top 10, top 5. Saying that in the most humble way. Really, that is pretty much it,” Johnson said. “I pray over my goals. If I achieve them, I achieve them. If I don’t, I just keep working. At the end of the day that is all I can do.”

Let’s hope that hard work pays off.