After a rollercoaster 2024 season, Diontae Johnson received virtually no interest in free agency until he landed in Cleveland last month.
Johnson said at mandatory minicamp that the Browns were “the only team to hit me up,” per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
The lack of suitors for the veteran wide receiver makes sense after tumultuous stints in Baltimore and Houston at the end of last season. He averaged 51.0 yards per game for the Panthers before being dealt to the Ravens at the trade deadline, where he only saw five targets in his first four games.
Rashod Bateman‘s Week 13 injury should have been an opportunity for Johnson to seize a bigger role. Instead, he refused to enter the game, leading to a one-week team suspension and his eventual departure from Baltimore. The Texans tried their luck by claiming Johnson on waivers, but he also seemed dissatisfied with his target share despite the team’s playoff victory over the Chargers.
Houston waived Johnson as well, and after being briefly re-claimed by the Ravens for compensatory pick purposes, he hit free agency with significant questions about his ability to adjust to new teams.
The Browns could use some experience at wide receiver behind Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy, but Johnson’s veteran-minimum salary should set low expectations for his contributions in Cleveland. He’s been able to produce in the past, but he will have to prove he can be a reliable teammate to earn playing time.
I wonder why so many former Steelers receivers of the Tomlin-era end up as head cases?
There’s a theory that Tomlin is so good at dealing with individual personalities that the depth of the “diva-ness” of some of these WRs doesn’t become fully apparent until they leave Pittsburgh. Many current and former Steelers have attested to Tomlin’s ability to deal with all types compared to other coaches they’ve had… not saying Tomlin is a better coach per se, just better at that aspect of leadership.
Were any of these guys considered headcases prior to ending up in Pittsburgh?
Pickens was absolutely considered a headcase before Pittsburgh drafted him.
Very true. Pickens had all sorts of red flags, it’s why he lasted to the 2nd round. The others, I don’t remember any of them being seen as college head cases.
So, you’re saying Pttsburg’s GM only drafts WRs who are headcases?
🤣🤣🤣
Maybe Tomlin isn’t all that great with players. This is now four WR’s that have worked their way out of Pittsburgh over the last decade. Brown, Claypool, Johnson, Pickens.
And notice none of them made a name for themselves elsewhere. Could add Bryant and Holmes to that list as well
So is it that Tomlin isn’t great with players or he gets what he can and then dumps them?
Or the theory that Tomlin allows the bad behavior of one WR like AB to infect others like Juju and so on and then they’re all not worth keeping, in spite of their talent. If Tomlin could actually discipline the problem players and stop being their dancing partners in the clubhouse, then maybe the Steelers wouldn’t be so mediocre now year after year.
No offense but you’re dead wrong. They fully complete their transformation as a full on egocentric under Tomlin because he can be so set in his ways. AB was already a jerk when he left as was Diontae. Don’t paint Tomlin as the hero here because he so isn’t. Ask anyone who watches the Steelers. He kicks a lot of the emotional baggage under the rug
It’s an interesting question. Because the people above are making the point that Tomlin is great with dealing with them. But that’s a different question then why do they all come from Pittsburgh? Are they targeting them in the draft? That would be kind of a weird strategy because a) why deal with that headache unless the value was so good and you felt you were uniquely equipped to mitigate it? B) It’s not like that has worked out for them on the whole. Too often they’re ready to get rid of Chase Claypool and George Pickens types for nothing without them actually contributing to a championship roster
True. Either it’s “we know they’re a bit mental, but we think Tomlin can deal with them”, or maybe it’s “Tomlin said he could handle them, but he didn’t”. And I’m not sure which is more true.
Claypool to the Bears for a second rounder was a steal for Pittsburgh. Hardly nothing.
Ehh, the thing that makes me swing it in Tomlin’s favor here is that none of these problem guys tend to do as well outside of Pittsburgh than they did with the Steelers. Pickens is young enough to have a good career outside of there, but for the most part, the others have generally had better production before being traded/not renewed than afterward. The only receiver that I’d consider to have had a better career after leaving would be Emmanuel Sanders, and he wasn’t a guy that I’d consider a problem child. Juju had one good year in Kansas City, but he didn’t come close to matching his heights across from Brown. Brown, Johnson, Bryant, Claypool, Williams…while they had spots of success individually, none were better after they left than before.
So, I’d say the empirical evidence that makes me side with Tomlin in managing personalities is the fact that statistically the Steelers got really good production from these guys, and that for all of them so far it was their best production of their careers. Tomlin has other flaws, such as not being the most cerebral coach but not managing his assistants as well to compensate over the last few years, amongst others. But I do think that his reputation as being good at managing personalities is well earned.
It must be “collusion”!!!!
If he did refuse to enter a game for the Ravens after complaining about not playing, I’m surprised that anyone “hit him up”. Even the Browns. Deontae just never seems to be content.
He had his best season as a pro with Kenny Pickett as his QB…this is going to be his last chance…hope he lives up to his talents…as a Browns fan, I’d like to see it….
Could be finished in the NFL if this signing by the one of the biggest joke organizations in pro sports doesn’t work it.
This team proves over and over and over and over and over again they are at the top of the list of Joke franchises in all of pro sports.
Ravens actually gave up a draft pick for him and didn’t play him. Browns are not on the hook for anything if he doesn’t make the team.
The way I read it is they gave him a few snaps and then when they needed him he refused to enter the game. It’s hard to play somebody when they refuse to go to work. Must have been too busy checking all his fan mail.
Either way they gave up a draft pick. Cleveland gave up nothing. It’s like getting a free car, even if is a lemon
It is literally a no cost move for the Browns. Unless Johnson stands out in a major way, this signing is just a training camp body. Out there to run routes for the four QB’s they have.
Even if he were to make the team, the only money they would be on the hook for is the league minimum.
Hard to see the downside for Cleveland whether it works out or not.
What team wants a quitter? He’s obviously a spoiled a**hole who thinks he’s all that. The Browns are a refuge for all the malcontents and misfits, but unlike the Bad News Bears this band of idiots can’t play together for 2 minutes. It’s a shame to keep disappointing the Cleveland Browns fans like that, but they’re probably used to it.
Exactly right! The guy was picked off the scrap heap, Given two chances and refused to play when asked and the moron is trying to figure out why nobody wanted him? Proof the Browns will take anybody.
At least they didn’t give up a draft pick for him.
Shocker
Yeah, you don’t go to Cleveland unless it’s you last option.
Yet another reason to believe the Browns are the dumbest team in the league.
Maybe he should learn to keep his mouth shut and do his job instead of acting like he is above being a grown man. The hood vibe is not conducive to being a productive member of society or good teammate. Head down, mouth shut and do your job.