Diontae Johnson Sets Season Record for Touchdown Futility

PITTSBURGH — Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson will be heading into the record books, but it is not for a stat that he wants to be known for in his career.

With 86 receptions on the season, no one else has more receptions without touchdowns than Johnson did in 2022, beating out former Buccaneers running back James Wilder who registered 85 receptions without a touchdown in the 1984 season. Johnson’s 147 targets are far more than anyone else’s at that stage.

It is a record that Diontae Johnson simply has to take in stride. He did make it into the endzone at least once this season on a two-point conversion that was dialed up his way Sunday. Pittsburgh tried to get him into the endzone but simply could not crack through. As a result, Johnson has to take it in stride.

“Maybe next year might be my year to get in the end zone, 10-plus or whatever,” Johnson said. “I have to keep my head down and just keep leading. That’s the more important thing, but it’s frustrating to not get in there. But really at this point, it is what it is.”

The Steelers gave Johnson an extension at training camp, and up to this point, he has been a mixed bag in that extension. Johnson secured third place for most receiving yards in a season without a touchdown, too. However, Al Toon still holds that record. Coming into the 2023 season, Johnson will look to have a more consistent season, and with that, hopefully be able to find the endzone, too.