Diontae Johnson at Steelers Minicamp, Not Worried about Contract

PITTSBURGH — Diontae Johnson is in attendance at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mandatory three-day minicamp, and he said he plans on being a full participant in the practice sessions.

“I’m just here to work, do what I’m told and get the job done. That’s pretty much my focus. Be around the guys.”

Johnson is in attendance despite his contract status, which is set to expire after the 2022 season. He’s looking for a contract extension to stay with the Steelers, but he’s also trying not to let that desire impact his plans for a successful football offseason.

“I’m not really worried about that,” he said. “At the end of the day, I just want to move forward and control what I can control. … I’m going to he here. Patient. I’m just going to keep working.”

Johnson’s contract talks with the Steelers have coincided with an absolute explosion in the value of wide receivers contracts around the league. He’s certainly taken notice how much other players have gotten paid this offseason.

“Oh yeah,” he said with a big smile. “It’s not like you don’t see it. You see it. Bell rings in the app and such and such got this or such and such got that. I try not to look at it that hard or what you call pocket watching, stuff like that. Whoever gets a contract, I feel like they deserve it no matter what because they put in the time and the work.”

But he feels like he belongs in that group of players that have cashed in with big contracts this offseason like Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Christian Kirk and others.

“Most definitely. The film don’t lie.”

Some in Johnson’s situation would’t want to practice for fear of an injury wrecking a deal, and he skipped the first week OTAs, but he said he doesn’t have that fear.

“There’s no nervousness because I’m covered in the blood of Jesus,” Johnson said. “I’m not worried about none of that stuff. All I can do is go all out there and make plays for the team. That’s what I’m trying to do — help win the Super Bowl.”

As far as the final number he’s looking for, Johnson is mostly leaving that up to his representation.

“I haven’t really thought of a number,” he said. “We’ve talked about it plenty of times, but I try not to worry about it. If I continue to worry about that, it’s going to throw off what I’ve got going on.”

Johnson demurred when asked if he was optimistic if a deal will get done.

“I mean … I don’t really know. I’m not trying to speak on that situation because I don’t really know. … If the contract comes this year, it comes. If it don’t, it don’t. I’m not really worried. I’m just ready to play football.”