Going a season without scoring a touchdown in 2022, it was clear that it was not the year that Diontae Johnson was hoping to have after inking a large contract extension with the Steelers. On Saturday, he took to Twitter to make an interesting point, it would appear.
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) July 15, 2023
“>the clip, it shows Chiefs head coach Andy Reid allowing his players to get creative and mastermind some plays. Johnson retweeted that video and seemed to be impressed with it. That’s not that surprising, who would not want to play for Reid? Former Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster left to go play there, and noted that he learned more about offense in the NFL there than he ever did with the team.
This isn’t the first time when it has been theorized that Johnson might have taken a shot at Canada. After Pittsburgh lost their game to the Philadelphia Eagles last year, Johnson talked to the media and had this to say about the offensive struggles at the time.
“We just gotta play better,” Johnson said at his locker following the Steelers’ 35-13 blowout loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia. “Y’all obviously know what’s wrong. [We’re] just out there playing, trying to win.”
It can be interpreted as a shot at Matt Canada. Johnson could just be impressed by Reid’s philosophy, and obviously, that is one that has forged Reid a Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles during his time in the NFL. Regardless, Johnson is hoping to take a leap this year.
“Definitely All-Pro, Pro Bowl. Over 1,000 yards. Over 100 catches. Top 10, top 5. Saying that in the most humble way. Really, that is pretty much it,” Johnson said. “I pray over my goals. If I achieve them, I achieve them. If I don’t, I just keep working. At the end of the day that is all I can do.”
In order to achieve that goal, Johnson will need help from others, including Canada, to get the offense right this year. Those opportunities should theoretically all be there for the taking, but some things need to go right for the offense to click, even with all the talent is has on it.
