Diontae Johnson has come a long way from being an All-Pro member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once a top NFL wide receiver, Johnson has been cut twice in the last month. The 28-year-old has suited up for three teams since October.
The Houston Texans parted ways with the WR ahead of their Divisional Round clash against Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs. Fans shared their reaction to Johnson’s surprise release from the Texans.
Diontae Johnson Enters Free Agency
Johnson began the year in familiar territory. He finished out the 2023 NFL season in Pittsburgh, recording 51 receptions for 717 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
In March 2024, he changed teams for the first time in his career, as the Steelers dealt the one-time Pro Bowler and a seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round selection.
He appeared in seven games with the Panthers, tallying 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
This stint in Carolina ended up being relatively long compared to his next two stops. The drama began to pick up once Johnson was packaged with a sixth-round pick and traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a fifth-round pick.
The expectation was that Johnson would provide quarterback Lamar Jackson with a reliable veteran weapon to pair alongside Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Mark Andrews.
This couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Johnson had a disappointing four-game stint in Baltimore, recording just a single reception for six yards. Johnson’s time with the Ravens came to an end when he was suspended for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team” after refusing to enter a game since he was upset about his role. Shortly after, Baltimore released him.
The Texans decided to give Johnson a chance, picking him up off of waivers — his fourth team in nine months. However, after just several weeks, Houston decided to give up on Johnson, too. He was released on Tuesday, Jan. 14, after recording just three receptions for 24 yards across two games (including the postseason).
We have waived Diontae Johnson and made another roster move. pic.twitter.com/gjFKOc5COS
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 14, 2025
According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the same behavior that led to his release in Baltimore continued in Houston, with Johnson getting “highly upset” about his limited role.
When Diontae Johnson, now cut by #Texans, was with #Ravens he was suspended for conduct detrimental for refusing to play. After games, if he wasn't involved to his liking, he was highly upset and had to be calmed down. Pattern continued in Houston and now he's off his third #NFL… https://t.co/wF3WnRfBvg
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 14, 2025
NFL Fans React to Johnson’s Departure From Houston
Fans flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to question Johnson’s behavior after the Texans announced their decision to waive him.
He needs to look in the mirror at this point and fix it
— Bed Stuy to NC 🏘️🛤️🛣️ (@rayboogie21) January 14, 2025
“He needs to look in the mirror at this point and fix it,” a comment read.
“Whew! He’s clearly more difficult than we ever realized, because the talent was still there last season after he came back from the injury,” a fan said.
Whew! He's clearly more difficult than we ever realized, because the talent was still there last season after he came back from the injury.
— Jazmin (@Jaz_Barton) January 14, 2025
“Diontae has worlds of talent, enough for teams to keep giving him a chance. How bad is his attitude?” one user wrote.
Diontae has worlds of talent, enough for teams to keep giving him a chance. How bad is his attitude?
— FFAnalyticsPro (@FFAnalyticsPro) January 14, 2025
“But, remember, the Steelers & Khan made a HUGE mistake when they traded him away in the offseason according to ‘NFL experts’ – Just goes to show that he wasn’t really worth a roster spot, even when the Texans are missing 2 starters… He’s not a team player he’s a ME-First guy,” one fan posted.
But, remember, the Steelers & Khan made a HUGE mistake when they traded him away in the offseason according to “NFL experts” – Just goes to show that he wasn’t really worth a roster spot, even when the Texans are missing 2 starters… He’s not a team player he’s a ME-First guy.
— David Belan (@davidbelan22) January 14, 2025
Another fan took a hilarious dig at the NFL wide receiver, saying, “Crazy to think that since leaving Carolina, he’s been cut by two teams and has caught 3 passes in that time [in the regular season].”
Crwzy to think that since leaving Carolina he’s been cut by two teams and has caught 3 passes in that time
— Erick (@EKlambara) January 14, 2025
It remains to be seen if another team will sign Johnson or if his NFL career is over. If he’s done playing, it’s a shocking fall from grace for a former All-Pro who isn’t even 29 years old.
Throughout Johnson’s six-year NFL career, he has recorded 424 catches for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns.