Diontae Johnson ‘can’t wait’ to play in Pittsburgh; aims to maximize opportunities against Steelers

The Pro Bowl wideout didn’t admit to harboring any ill-will towards his former team but is excited to face them nonetheless.

Not only did veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson go from a contender for the No. 1 overall pick to a contender for the Super Bowl, he also gets two revenge games against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 28-year-old began his career in the Steel City after being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Toledo. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie punt returner and was voted to his first career Pro Bowl in 2021 with a career-high 107 catches, 1,161 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Despite remaining a productive playmaker despite the Steelers’ subpar quarterback play in 2022 and 2023, Johnson was dealt to the Carolina Panthers in March before being traded once again, this time to the Baltimore Ravens in late October. His return to the AFC North will give him two cracks at his former team, the first of which will come Sunday in Pittsburgh. The fact that it will take place in the same stadium where established his career and enjoyed tremendous success means a lot to him.

“A moment I get to go back to where it all started but I’m on the opposite sideline,” said Johnson in the locker room on Tuesday. “But I’m looking forward to it and whenever my opportunity come to get in the game I’ll just make the most of it.”

Even though he was traded with a year remaining on the extension he signed with the Steelers in August 2022, Johnson looks back on his time with the franchise fondly.

“I had a great career there. I loved it. Great city, people [are] great there,” Johnson said. “I know what they’re about. I can’t wait until Sunday to just be back in that stadium.”

While he doesn’t seem to harbor any will towards his former franchise, he might get some extra motivation from the comments of his former head coach, Mike Tomlin.

“To be honest with you, I haven’t thought a lot about it,” Tomlin said with a cheeky smile. “He’s not on a lot of their video. So at this stage of the week, I don’t know that I’ve weighed what he might be to the matchup. They’ve got more significant pieces with larger roles that have occupied my attention at this part of the week.”

Tomlin has a point: Johnson has played in two games as a Raven with just 22 snaps and only one catch on two targets for six yards. However, the Steelers proved last week just how fast a trade acquisition can acclimate to an offense. Recently-acquired wide receiver Mike Williams hauled in the game-winning touchdown in the Pittsburgh’s 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders this past Sunday.

As a Steeler, Johnson made several big plays against the Ravens, including a game-winning touchdown in the 2023 regular-season finale that punched Pittsburgh’s ticket to the postseason. However, he didn’t necessarily relish the opportunity to go up against the Ravens.

“To be honest I really didn’t like playing the Ravens because I knew it was going to be a tough game. Down to the last second or whatever the case may be. Guys are going to be flying around. Just, in that aspect, you just have to be ready at all times,” explained Johnson.

Now he is looking forward to turning the tide and helping Baltimore come out on top for the first time since Week 14 of the 2022 season, but he knows that his new offense already has plenty of playmakers.

“They’re working me in slowly. I just go out there whenever they call my number, go and do my thing,” said Johnson. “I can’t go in there just expecting a lot [or putting] a lot of pressure on myself. However the game goes, I’m all for it.”

Still, he’s still aiming to recreate some of his success in Pittsburgh, this time for the visiting rivals.