NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that there are three teams who have expressed interest in the recently released wide receiver Diontae Johnson: the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
3 Teams Express Interest in Diontae Johnson
All three teams are anticipated to have put in waiver claims for Johnson, who was recently released by the Baltimore Ravens. Under the NFL‘s waiver system, Johnson will be awarded to the team with the worst record of those who put in claims.
If no team, however, puts in a waiver claim for Johnson, he will become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team of his choosing.
Potential destinations for Diontae Johnson include the Steelers, Chiefs, and Chargers, per @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/3UXtPAWtrD
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 22, 2024
On Oct. 29, ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Johnson was traded to the Ravens by the Carolina Panthers but yielded only one catch for six yards in his tenure with Baltimore. Frustrations began to bubble after he refused to enter the game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13, which got him suspended in the first place.
Ultimately, Johnson was released this past Friday, the day before the Ravens’ intra-divisional battle with his original team, the Steelers.
With the Panthers earlier this year, Johnson led Carolina in receptions (30), receiving yards (357), and touchdown catches (3) through the first seven games of the season before being traded to Baltimore.
As mentioned, Johnson used to play for the Steelers, and with George Pickens out with an injury, they could really use his services. Roman Wilson is also on injured reserve.
Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh, brother of John Harbaugh (Johnson’s former coach with the Ravens), could use a top-flight receiver on the Chargers’ roster.
Aside from rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, quarterback Justin Herbert doesn’t have many weapons in his arsenal. At times, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer can be productive, but they are not top-tier receivers to be counted on as WR1s.
Johnson could be what the doctor ordered for Los Angeles as the team prepares for the playoffs. After star running back J.K. Dobbins went down, the Chargers’ offense lost one of its main options. Thus, adding an experienced receiver like Johnson could certainly help if he performs.
The Chiefs, who have the best record in football, are considered long shots to acquire Johnson due to their low-priority waiver claim status.
Kansas City also got Hollywood Brown back this past Saturday and may elect not put a claim in for Johnson or pursue him as a free agent as a result. Still, the Chiefs continue to be without Rashee Rice, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this year, so adding Johnson for a playoff run would make sense.