Mike Tomlin Digs Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson

PITTSBURGH – When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March, they probably didn’t foresee having to face him in 2024.

That is no longer the case after the Baltimore Ravens traded for Johnson two weeks ago and the two teams are slated for their first meeting of the season in Week 11.

While many believe Johnson, who registered 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns with the Steelers, could have a big impact on the game, head coach Mike Tomlin seems to think otherwise.

“To be honest with you, I hadn’t thought a lot about it,” he said. “He’s not on a lot of their video. So at this stage of the week, I don’t know that I’ve weighed what he might mean to the matchup. They’ve got more significant pieces with larger roles that occupy my attention at this part of the week.”

Tomlin has a point. Since joining the Ravens, Johnson has recorded just one catch for six yards on two targets. It’s not the type of production he or Baltimore likely imagined, but it’s difficult to imagine his role not continuing to grow.

Johnson has been looking forward to getting revenge on his former team since being dealt to the Ravens, too.

“Once I found out where I was going, I was excited,” he said. “I’m looking forward to that game, man.”

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson against the New England Patriots, Dec. 7, 2023 – Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

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Still, Pittsburgh’s defense should be focused on stopping the Ravens rush attack of two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, who have combined for 1,658 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

“Mr. Jackson, obviously, is at the sticks. He’s a challenge. He’s a challenge in all circumstances,” Tomlin said. “We gotta deal with the big runner and work to minimize his impact on the game.”

The Steelers have fallen victim to the revenge game on several occasions. In Week 14 of last season, former wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had four catches for 90 yards in a win with the New Englands Patriots. The week before, former running back James Conner rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a win with the Arizona Cardinals.

Pittsburgh needs to make sure that doesn’t happen again on Sunday, but if Baltimore doesn’t change how it uses Johnson, it won’t even be a possibility.

Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.