A former Pittsburgh Steelers pairing is back together—this time in Cleveland. On Monday, the Browns signed ex-Steelers Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson, reuniting him with former Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett is currently competing with Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders for the Browns’ starting quarterback role.
Johnson, 28, was originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft after a standout career at the University of Toledo. He stepped in as a key target following Antonio Brown’s exit and served as Pittsburgh’s primary receiver for most of his tenure.
Although he didn’t match Brown’s production, Johnson proved to be a reliable top option. His best season came in 2021 when he recorded career-highs with 107 catches, 1,161 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns, helping the Steelers reach the playoffs in Ben Roethlisberger’s final season.
Although still a solid contributor, Diontae Johnson’s production declined after Ben Roethlisberger retired, as the Steelers faced challenges finding a consistent starting quarterback. Over Johnson’s final two seasons in Pittsburgh, the team cycled through Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky under center. Despite maintaining winning records, the instability at quarterback clearly affected Johnson’s performance. Following the 2023 season, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers.
Diontae Johnson’s 2024 season was a complete disappointment. After an underwhelming stretch with the Carolina Panthers, he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the deadline. His time in Baltimore quickly unraveled, as he was suspended for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team and was waived less than two months after arriving. Just three days later, the Houston Texans claimed Johnson off waivers, but his struggles continued, and the team let him go at the end of the season.
Despite a rocky 2024 season, Diontae Johnson is getting another chance—this time with the Cleveland Browns. With the team opting not to draft a wide receiver, Johnson’s arrival fills a clear need on the depth chart. If he can rediscover the consistency he showed during his time in Pittsburgh, he could become a valuable asset alongside Jerry Jeudy, the Browns’ top receiver who earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024.
