Diontae Johnson’s Turbulent NFL Journey: From Pro Bowler to Four Teams in One Year

HOUSTON, Texas — Wide receiver Diontae Johnson, once celebrated as one of the NFL‘s top route runners, has endured a tumultuous 2024 season, playing for four different teams in a single calendar year. The 28-year-old, who began the year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was traded twice and cut once, culminating in a brief stint with the Houston Texans during the playoffs.

Johnson’s journey began in Pittsburgh, where he spent five seasons as a key offensive weapon. After a standout 2021 season that saw him earn his first Pro Bowl nod with 1,161 receiving yards, Johnson signed a two-year, $36.7 million extension with the Steelers. However, a disappointing 2023 campaign led to his trade to the Carolina Panthers in March 2024.

In Carolina, Johnson was expected to bolster the Panthers’ offense for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. He recorded 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games, but the team’s struggles prompted another trade. By midseason, Johnson was shipped to the Baltimore Ravens, where his tenure was marred by poor performance and off-field issues. He caught just one pass for six yards in four games and was suspended for refusing to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens released him shortly after.

The Texans, dealing with injuries to star receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, signed Johnson in December to provide depth for their playoff push. However, he failed to make an impact, recording only three receptions for 24 yards in two games, including the postseason. Houston released him on Jan. 14, 2025, marking his fourth team in less than a year.

Johnson’s rapid decline has been startling. Once regarded as a reliable playmaker, he finished the 2024 season with career-low stats: 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns across three teams. His struggles have raised questions about his future in the league as he enters free agency this offseason.

Despite his recent setbacks, Johnson’s career earnings total $42.7 million, including his rookie contract and extension with the Steelers. Whether he can revive his career remains uncertain, but his 2024 season serves as a cautionary tale of the NFL’s unforgiving nature.