Former Steelers Pro Bowler wide receiver Diontae Johnson is officially on waivers after a short-term tenure with the Baltimore Ravens. According to multiple reports, the Ravens are pulling the plug on Johnson after suspending him for one game and announcing he wouldn’t return to the team. Originally selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the bust wide receiver hasn’t been able to establish in a new home since leaving in a trade to the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens were hoping he could contribute to the offense in the streamline of receivers alongside Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor.
However, after recording just one catch for six yards, the Ravens are not dealing with Johnson’s issues. After refusing to enter the matchup against the Eagles, the team had no choice but to suspend him. His services will be available to any contender that needs a wide wide receiver in time for the postseason next month. While he’s been struggling to establish a new life after Pittsburgh, it shouldn’t be too long before a needy playoff team that needs a weapon could acquire Johnson.
A “prove it” deal may better suit the wideout as he will become a free agent either way in March.
Former 4,700-Yard Steelers Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson Officially On Waivers – Chiefs, Chargers Possible Next Teams
Kansas City Chiefs
This move wouldn’t be surprising as the Chiefs are no stranger to adding more weapons to improve Patrick Mahomes’ offense. After trading for DeAndre Hopkins, they could benefit from adding Johnson who could give this passing attack another vital weapon to throw to in the deep threat. Since they lost Rashee Rice for the remainder of the year, the team is getting some reinforcements from Marquise Brown who should be completely healthy. However, their obsession with grabbing talent before any AFC team does is no surprise.
The team found a way for Hopkins to be serviceable in his role so maybe they could involve Johnson on a situational basis. Kansas City could have two tall wide receivers to give Mahomes the leverage in the aerial attack and create that much-needed separation for veteran Travis Kelce. Johnson’s potential acquisition could add flavor like as the final boss for a three-peat run in the Andy Reid Era.
Los Angeles Chargers
No one should count out the Chargers in these type of scenarios. They haven’t been active this trade deadline to get a legitimate wide receiver despite adding Jalen Reagor. The Chargers are certainly to become competitive this upcoming postseason after winning in a dramatic finish against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football. Los Angeles is still a team in dire need of a receiver and someone like Johnson could help Quentin Johnston play uptempo in the passing attack.
Rookie Ladd McConkey is establishing himself as a reliable consistent fan-favorite weapon for Justin Herbert but someone like Johnson could make those huge momentum-boosting plays. It wouldn’t be a terrible investment for Jim Harbaugh to add a reliable target temporarily before he becomes a free agent in March. Johnson could be an insurance grab to help Herbert have several weapons to work with while Johnston continues to work through his struggles.
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