The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly ‘open’ to trading away one of their star receivers before the 2024 season. The Steelers have a few key decisions to make for their offensive roster in Arthur Smith’s first season as the team’s offensive coordinator.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big year for their starting QB
The Steelers must decide where they’re going at quarterback. The team is expected to bring back Mason Rudolph to compete with Kenny Pickett for the starting job. However, their wide receiver corps could be worse than last season when Pickett only threw six touchdown passes.
Diontae Johnson could be traded for the right price
Per Tony Pauline with Sportskeeda, the Steelers are open to trading Diontae Johnson for the right price:
Is Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson on the trading block? The short answer is possibly, if the price is right.
The 2019 third-round pick is in the final year of the two-year extension he signed in November 2022 and is due more than $11 million this upcoming season, including salary and bonuses. In 14 games last season, Johnson caught 51 passes for 717 yards with five touchdowns. He turned in a career year in 2021 with 107 catches for 1,161 yards with eight touchdowns.
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.
Johnson doesn’t seem to be in the Steelers long-term plans
I heard similar chatter from people during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The Steelers are not expected to keep Johnson long-term. Seeking value in return for Johnson via trade could be the team’s best option to add draft capital for a roster that needs it on offense.
Losing an All-Pro wide receiver won’t help Pickett or Rudolph in the 2024 season. They would have to lean heavily on third-year receiver George Pickens.
