Steelers Daily: Diontae Johnson Trade Speculation!?

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggested some trade “fireworks” that could transform the NFL on Monday, to coincide with the Fourth of July holiday, and one of his suggestions has the Pittsburgh Steelers trading wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys for a second-round draft pick.

The Steelers trading Johnson seems far-fetched on the surface, with just Chase Claypool on the depth chart with meaningful NFL experience at the wide receiver position. The return also underwhelms, as even one season of Johnson, coming off a 1,000-yard season, should be worth more than a second-round pick.

But that’s not taking into account Johnson’s tenuous contract situation. He wants an extension from the Steelers, and said during OTAs that he’s willing to be patient to get it.

If it’s looking like that won’t come this offseason, will he be willing to play out the string with the Steelers? Johnson hasn’t asked for a trade, and instead insisted that he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, but it’s not far-fetched to see the Steelers not wanting to pay Johnson what the current market rate for wideouts is.

Knox’s suggestion was clearly designed to stoke controversy, but that type of ending to Johnson’s saga in Pittsburgh doesn’t seem impossible. Stay tuned.

 Speaking of players with and without long-term extensions, the Steelers locked up Minkah Fitzpatrick this offseason, and Chris Carter argues that they should do the same with his safety partner, Terrell Edmunds.

 Our Steelers All 90 series continues with inside linebacker Robert Spillane, who is providing crucial insurance behind two projected starters that have under-performed their potential in the recent past.

 Journeyman cornerback Linden Stephens is on his eighth team in four years. Will Pittsburgh be home?

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STEELERS SCHEDULE

 With the USFL season completed over the weekend, look for a busier-than-usual week of NFL transactions. — Saunders

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