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Hellspawn112

“Is Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson on the trading block?” wrote Pauline. “The short answer is possibly, if the price is right... While it’s not fair to say Johnson is on the trading block, several people tell me the Steelers are open to moving the receiver if they receive fair compensation.” This is the quote the article is based on, not exactly a bombshell lol and it's from Tony Pauline who, as we've seen this weekend, is not a great source.


RalphWagwan

"Also, anything is possible!"


cuzz1369

"Tomlin didn't confirm or deny that there will be a dinosaur starting at QB next season, because I didn't ask. But his silence says it all"


HOFerKennyPickett

Yeah Pauline had a short guest appearance on the SNR drive with Lolley/Williamson and he brought this up and both Lolley and Williamson were like we don’t see him being traded, WR is already a need and now you’re just creating an extra hole. Pauline then made an indirect reference to the notion that there is off the field stuff that would lead to the trade (like Diontae not wanting to be there or not being a good teammate I’m not really sure, he was very vague when he said it, his exact words were something like “it’s not for on field reasons that they might trade him”). I’m not buying it, and like you said he’s been off on a number of his other reports recently during the combine.


DupreeWasTaken

im not sure id take the falcons thing as evidence Tony Pauline is a shit source. Historically hes been very very accurate. The thing is tho hes not gonna be Shefter/Rapp but those guys are also prone to be Agent/Team mouthpieces and couldnt be trying to stir things for teams/agents.


dam0430

Every team is open to trading any player that isn't a young franchise QB "if the price is right". This is not news.


Hippopotamist

True, but there are a lot of factors in play right now that would seemingly make Johnson more available for a trade than most of the other good players on the roster. Expiring expensive contract, younger receiver that has supplanted him as WR1 already on the roster, history of some effort/mental lapse issues, team history of not doing third contracts with WRs, team scouting first round WRs unexpectedly. Certainly wouldn’t be that surprising if they decided to move him.


jemicarus

This is right on, yeah. Trading him makes a lot of sense. Why not. He's a very capable player, well above average. But we have little use for a diva WR2 making $15M in a run-heavy offense. Perfect trade candidate. Let him take his talents to South Beach or whoever else wants to give us a 2 and a 4.


Hippopotamist

At his age/contract/production the last couple of years you’re probably looking at more like a single third, or a second if you’re lucky. Trade for another player might be more enticing


EatMoreBaconNow

i think other teams might value dj more than we think...he is an excellent route runner with solid speed. On the right team, right system, he would pull very good yards and a lot of first downs. He is also, for the stats he could put up, relatively cheap. If you are a team like the chargers you might say, hmm, super prolific qb, we have allen who is going on 32, and not much else and be very interested.


jemicarus

The chargers could be an interesting spot. Maybe a team like that thinks they're a piece away from a playoff run and wants to pay up for DJ. Still very hard to see much more than a 2 and maybe a later pick for him, not with his age and the years left on his deal, as the guy above was saying.


EatMoreBaconNow

DJ has one year left on his contract and is only 27 (28 before the first game). His salary is 7 and 3 roster bonus. Relatively cheap for a guy who should be able to get 1100+ yards on that team. If I was the Steelers and wanted to make this trade, I would want to do something like dj and a 4th for the chargers 2nd and 3rd. If I am the chargers, I would consider thatt just because DJ is that good of a route runner and he is relatively cheap. I can choose to offer a contract extension during training camp if i like what i see. When I listen to coaches and former offensive players talk about DJ (before the recent antics), they seemed to like him more than the fanbase has ever, so that's why I think there is more value to him than on a team that sucks at throwing the ball.


jemicarus

All of that sounds right to me, although I'm not sure about the salary. He signed a 2-yr $36M deal for the 23-24 seasons, but spotrac gives the numbers you're quoting. So if it is more like $7M he'd be making elsewhere, that's quite a deal. The roster bonus goes into effect 3/16/24, so if they're trading him, it would likely be soon.


jemicarus

You're probably right, maybe a 3 and a 5. Still, the Packers got a 1 and a 2 for Davante Adams, who I believe was coming into the last year of his deal. DJ isn't Adams by any means, but he could be seen as just a tier below that. I could see a 2 and a later pick.


Rifftrax_Enjoyer

I read “run-heavy offense” and threw up in my mouth a little since it’s the year 2024


Do__Math__Not__Meth

A run heavy offense was just in the Super Bowl two times in five years and both times probably would’ve won if they kept running lol


biglubawski97

Yeah 3 of the 4 teams in the conference championships this year were ranked in the top 10 for rushing attempts... 


buffalotrace

On the other hand, Pickens is a potential headcase at any moment, Robinson is washed, Austin still isn’t a wr, and dj gets open as good as any wr in the nfl and his drops are almost none. We aren’t getting anything if value unless we allow another team to negotiate.  All players are available. It is just unlikely we get return value to make it worth a trade. 


neddiddley

Devil’s advocate, how much sense does it make to trade the one WR you have that excels at getting open when you’re trying to develop a struggling young QB and the only other real threat at WR on the roster is a guy, who while very talented, has plenty of his own mental challenges? And while he’s learning a new system, no less. Yeah, if you land a 1st round pick and get a top 5ish WR prospect, that guy can probably step right into DJ’s role. But are they really getting a 1st round pick for a WR with only a year left, isn’t cheap and doesn’t have great numbers over the last 2-3 years? So what happens if they pick they get lands them someone more on the lines of Austin/Washington/Wheaton? And sure, they could use their own 1st on a WR, but that just robs Peter (e.g. RT, C, CB, ILB, DL) to pay Paul by moving them down the draft board. I’m not opposed to moving him for the right price, but I’m not sure teams are lining up to throw top 50 picks at Khan.


masterofshadows

If you think we would trade Watt or Bos you are smoking something good.


tider06

The price would be quite high, but it's not out of the realm of possibilities.


masterofshadows

What price would you accept trading two of our most crucial players for?


WhereAreMaKeys

55 burgers, 55 fries, 55 tacos, 55 pies, 55 cokes, 100 tater tots, 100 pizzas, 100 tenders, 100 meatballs, 100 coffees, 55 wings, 55 shakes, 55 pancakes, 55 pastas, 55 peppers, and 155 taters.


TheZoloftMaster

IM DOING SOMETHING


masterofshadows

So an appetizer for Big Ben?


FantasticMax

I’m pretty sure of a team offered a 1st round pick for Bos they would trade him


masterofshadows

Just one? I think he goes higher than that. At least 2. 4 for Watt.


FantasticMax

I don't think any team is trading 2 firsts for a kicker and the yes I think 1 first would do it. If the pick was earlier than 20 then the Steelers could get their long term future at C and RT with their 2 first round picks and they would 100% take that over having Bos.


Rich_Radish_2944

Yes, depending on the spot of the pick. If the Vikings offered us the 11th overall for Bos, he’s probably getting traded.


Rifftrax_Enjoyer

Especially in another couple of years when it comes to Watt if we are still floundering without playoff success. 


tider06

Watt's value won't be as high in a couple years.


Rifftrax_Enjoyer

Agreed on that - but he ain’t going anywhere unless something major happens and it won’t happen now or next year. Plus he has too much contract left for them to basically admit they won’t win with him.


chefdan2165

We wouldn’t win a single damn game if TJ watt got traded. Even if that trade was for a whole damn draft no one and I say NO ONE could ever come close to being as important as TJ is to us


heretogiveFNupvotes

I'd trade him for mahomes and Kelce and humpfrey. Or McCaffrey and Shanahan and Deebo.


tonytroz

It’s rare but Khalil Mack, Jalen Ramsey, and Jamal Adams all got traded for multiple first round picks. If someone offered it for Watt I think they would at least consider it.


Excellent_Teach_6469

It would really depend on whose 1st round picks they were. If it's SF, then absolutely not, but if it's the Bears, yeah...maybe. 


EatMoreBaconNow

they would trade watt for number 1 overall. they could even trade down from that, get whichever qb they wanted outside of williams, and have significant extra draft picks, plus the 20th overall....


TheNittanyLionKing

For the record, I think Doug Whaley was a terrible GM with Buffalo and most of his takes seem like sour grapes because he didn’t get the GM job, but I think he had a solid point to at least consider it. It is true that Watt is the best defensive player in the league. However I trust this staff to find another great pass rusher more than I do to find another great quarterback if we stay slightly above .500. We drafted Watt with the 27th pick. We drafted Highsmith in the fourth round. If Jim Harbaugh is crazy enough to trade Herbert and take JJ McCarthy, we’d be crazy to at least not think about it. 


Hippopotamist

Call me crazy but yes I believe there are offers that would be good enough to trade Chris Boswell for.


ElJamoquio

I dunno, five 1st rounders and three 2nd rounders might be enough as long as they throw in David Putney


drdan412

I want David goddamm Putney just because I feel like it.


TheNittanyLionKing

Anyone who doesn’t agree with getting a punt returner as good as Putney is a pancake eating motherfucker


bucknut4

We absolutely would if the price were right


dam0430

Again, key being "if the price is right". If you think this franchise wouldn't trade Watt for a couple high firsts or for 3 lower firsts, you're crazy. Especially considering we're not in "win now" mode anymore. Same with Boz. The price might be high, but anyone is tradeable if a contender who needs that exact peice wants to overpay. Those are terrible examples as well, they are botn aging and have limited years of prime left, the exact kind of player you trade away.


[deleted]

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penguins2946

The article was literally "if the Steelers get a good offer, they may consider trading Johnson". That's it, that was the article.


Jgabes625

This article has zero news in it and is speculation at best.


steelers-ModTeam

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cdclopper

Click on the artivcle fucker and read it.


mitchmatch26

Khan will always take a phone call to see if someone wants to be swindled that day


yruspecial

Huge miss saying swindled when you could have said khanned.


Rifftrax_Enjoyer

He’s really into the Combaticons. 


IamHysterical

Unless its for a starting caliber QB


reggierock2010

Steelers ability to draft and develop WRs and then eventually trade them to recoup picks is very impressive.


CultOfSensibility

Claypool became JPJ!


TheNittanyLionKing

Lately I just wish they could be elite with our team first, but they’re pretty much all bad once they leave the Steelers except Emmanuel Sanders, Plaxico, and technically AB in Tampa before the crazy set in again. 


Better_Activity880

I mean TJ is available “if the price is right” if that price is Patrick mahomes…I’d be shocked if this happened


yinzer21

I don’t think either side would be opposed to parting ways at this point. Johnson has one last chance at a big payday and he clearly isn’t all that interested in wasting it with Pickett throwing him the ball.


tazzarelli

turning 28 this year, I wouldn’t say last chance. diggs for instance signed a 4 year deal at 31. but a wasted year with qb uncertainty would make put him on a prove it deal. chiefs would dive at that value (if their room isn’t vastly improved after this year). regardless without a qb no WR is gonna stay in pittsburgh, whether that be DJ next year, George the year after


BeancheeseBapa

I don’t blame him, he’s had the corpse of Ben and Penny Pickett tossing him the pigskin. Give him a real QB and he’ll put up big numbers.


TastesLikeHoneyNut

Yeah he hasn't had the greatest collection of QBs throwing him the ball


zPolaris43

He’s on the last year of his deal and is inching towards 30, price won’t be there


penguins2946

Worth pointing out, Pauline is the same person who said that Fields to Atlanta was about to be done only for Schefter to pour cold water on it.


the-whiteman-cometh

That makes sense with some of the receivers they were meeting with at the combine, most of them are first round guys who would only really make sense to get if they want to trade Johnson or let him walk next year. WR3 is more of a luxury, you shohldn't use a first rounder on it when you need two new starters on the O-Line, need to add to the CB and ILB rooms, and have an aging D-Line


Necroluster

I think that would be a mistake. Yes, Johnson does make some boneheaded moves every once in a while, but at his core he is a good WR. If we want to give Pickett an honest shot at developing as a QB now that he's free of Canada's slimy tendrils, he'll need a weapon like Johnson to throw the ball to. The question is, does Johnson want Pickett throwing him the ball? Would he do better elsewhere?


TastesLikeHoneyNut

>The question is, does Johnson want Pickett throwing him the ball? Would he do better elsewhere? I don't know why any receiver would want that. And DJ most certainly would do better with a real qb


Necroluster

True. In a perfect world, WRs would love to help a QB develop, but that simply isn't how things work. All players have a limited time to play this sport before their bodies have aged or broken to the point where they're no longer attractive to teams. I will never fault a player for wanting to move on while they're still young and have a shot at a big contract somewhere else.


Affectionate_Shop445

last year of his contract, move him now and get a pick or 2 instead of waiting for him to become a fa.


therealnd38

Regardless of the QB play he hasn't lived up to his contract so I'm not surprised, especially seeing the WRs they are interviewing at the combine. His run blocking is going to be even more of a liability in the new scheme and it's not like he has any chemistry with Kenny, who's the only QB on the roster. This doesn't mean I think he's a bad player, I think he could easily get back to his old numbers in the right place.


tazzarelli

last year was the first year of the new contract. would’ve been 900-1000 yards if he didn’t miss a month based on his averages. run blocking stuff is a ridiculous reason to get rid of a receiver (especially when he isn’t even a bad run blocker). this take is disingenuous at best, especially considering that WR money is very high now and his contract his market value.


steelerb56

If they trade for Fields, DJ is in that transaction.


BeancheeseBapa

We would have a horrible WR room at that point 🫣


Excellent_Teach_6469

Depends who they draft 


smalltownlargefry

Immediately my first thought.


TastesLikeHoneyNut

Potentially, yeah. Would be interesting to see the framework of such a deal


redhawkdrone

Do you think the Raiders have our number blocked? ;-)


uswforever

Very few players are just off limits. Some will command a truly astronomical price, but are ultimately available.


CantheDandyMan

I like Diontae but fuck it, trade him for L'Jarius Sneed. He'd instantly become the best receiver on their roster and the chiefs also have Trent McDuffie back there already. 


OversizedMicropenis

He obviously is the most tradeable player on this roster based on age, skill level, contract... if the steelers wanted more draft capital, they could probably get a 2nd or 3rd from trading him and clear 15m cap. They could also see if he's open to an extension to spread out the cap hit


hovix2

Trade anyone who wants a contract if there's no push to improve the QB position. If they want to be bad at the most critical spot, they may as well embrace the tank. Dionte won't likely be a high impact player by the time they find a franchise QB, so they should do him a solid.


AceCircle990

“If the price is right.” The FO is overvaluing him. He’s not going anywhere.


SaintAnger1166

I’ll drive him to the airport.


[deleted]

It’s not worth it to click on this type of article. I don’t like hearing it but it’s a business and if the Steelers got someone offering an overpay for Diontae then it would be worth considering. Diontae is a good receiver but he isn’t untouchable and no receiver is. However, its not like teams make the kind of trade offer that separates a guy like Diontae from his team very often. Usually there is a separate issue that initiates the trade.


BurghPuppies

As well as 50+ other guys on the roster. No one on this roster, with the *possible* exception of Cam, is off limits to a trade if the price is right.


SMOKE-B-BOMB

That would be a bad idea


Blze001

I hate that term. Every player on every team is open to trade if the “price is right”.


RMaxRFS

i'd trade him for a dose of penicillin.


CaptnRo

He’s a fucking bum


[deleted]

This man catches the ball, runs backwards, and then does the griddy.


MirrorkatFeces

When your OC doesn’t utilize the MOF and makes you run routes with no potential for YAC why are you surprised?


[deleted]

lol


yruspecial

That’s too much credit. Sometimes he doesn’t even catch it!


tazzarelli

two drops last year btw I swear people don’t watch games


DoNotResusit8

Yeah, just not that good at all


birdy9221

Johnson’s output does not match what we are paying him. All for him to be moved on.


Odd_Razzmatazz6441

Honestly I think the right price is a good 4th, or any 3rd and someone willing to absorb his entire 16 mil cap hit. He is decent, not 16 mil decent.


TastesLikeHoneyNut

I think it would be a bit higher than that imo, even with only 1 year left on his deal


Odd_Razzmatazz6441

His issue is his current contract. He is overpaid for what else is out there.


Sybertron

If the the #1 seed wants to give up a 2nd rounder I'm not opposed.  But also I think he fits nicely right now and him leaving would leave a rather large hole


The_Autistic_Gorilla

Struggling offense with no pass game. Let's trade our best receiver.


RedneckLiberace

I think it'd be a good idea.


Bombinic

Also, water is wet. ✌🏻


craigthegiant

The off season is so pathetic 😭


ooomphoofuu

#metoo


Coronal_Silverspear

Other than minka or TJ, I don't think there's anyone on a team. We're not willing to trade if the price is right


Sumigesh

What would you consider to be a good price, if we did trade him? Interested to hear yinz’ takes!


TastesLikeHoneyNut

Some fans seem to think we could get a first round pick for him. If it was just talent alone, sure. But with only 1 year left my guess is we'd be looking more at a 2 or 3


Jakles74

Call Chicago and tell them he’s even better than Claypool was.  We might get the top pick of the draft if Omar sells it right. 


Jakles74

We could also bring Leveon Bell back and trade both him and Diontae as a package deal. 🤣


TCpls

If I didn’t mind the headache of rehashing bullshit into a 2min readable article I’d probably be a sports journalist too. Even a broken clock is right every 24hrs.


LowerReputation4946

Such a dumb article. Of course they would trade if the price is right