The grass is always greener on the other side of Steel City, and without a doubt, former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson found this out the hard way in 2024—but is the receiver’s recent drama an eye-opener for critics of Steelers HC Mike Tomlin?
Tomlin may have his issues with time management and his loyalty to a subpar coaching staff, but his leadership of the Steelers locker room has never been more evident than with his handling of receiver drama over the years—and the recently waived Johnson proves it.
Johnson lasted seven games with the Carolina Panthers, four games with the Baltimore Ravens, and two games with the Houston Texans—while spending 77 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Johnson isn’t the first dramatic wide receiver to prove Tomlin’s ability to command respect and order in a locker room, as former receivers Antonio Brown and Chase Claypool both imploded after they left Coach T’s watchful eye.
Steelers WR George Pickens may have suffered a similar fate if he attempted his antics with another roster, which begs the question: should fans appreciate Tomlin’s ability to get production out of his diva-esque receivers and keep a tight lid on their boiling point?
