Diontae Johnson’s Trade Deadline is Clear

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to trade wide receiver Diontae Johnson, it will occur in the next week, as he has a $3 million roster bonus due on March 16.

Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda sparked the rumor at the NFL Combine that Johnson could be on the trade block.

“Is Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson on the trading block? The short answer is possibly, if the price is right.” Pauline wrote. “… While it’s not fair to say Johnson is on the trading block, several people tell me the Steelers are open to moving the receiver if they receive fair compensation.”

Pauline appeared on 93.7 the Fan to discuss what the trade would cost for opposing teams, and unsurprisingly, it would cost a day-two pick. They would need more to trade him because of the potential compensatory pick they would receive in return for Johnson.

“I think they would move him for a third-round pick. I don’t think that they would take a day three selection to move him,” Pauline said.

Johnson is entering the team’s final year of his two-year extension. He missed multiple weeks this past season with a hamstring injury but has become part of the reason for hope around the Steelers’ offense.The talent at the skill positions is all there. But Johnson’s game is marred with inconsistency but his route running skills is some of the best in the entire NFL. He is extremely hard to cover for any team, but the Steelers might not be willing to bring him back after this season, so if they get offered the right deal, they might be willing to move him.

If Johnson is indeed on the trade block, he should have a good amount of suitors. Marcus Mosher of the 33rd Team linked the Buffalo Bills as a realistic trade partner.

“One receiver who could be available is Diontae Johnson, who is in the final year of his deal in Pittsburgh. It’s unlikely the Pittsburgh Steelers will give him another extension, especially with George Pickens eligible for a deal in 2025. Johnson is one of the NFL’s best separators and would make a lot of sense with Josh Allen,” Mosher wrote.

“Like (Stefon) Diggs, Johnson can win on the outside vs. 1-on-1 coverage, giving Allen another target reliable passing game target. Johnson’s base salary is only $7 million, which makes him very attractive for the Bills. They might have to surrender a third- or fourth-round pick to acquire him, but that’s not much for a proven receiver.”

The Steelers showed a ton of interest in the top receivers in the class at the NFL Combine, including Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, leading to speculation about Johnson’s future. In addition to Odunze meeting with the Steelers at the combine, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams are potential trade up teams.