Given the state of contract talks between the two sides, many felt that 2022 would be Diontae Johnson‘s final season in Pittsburgh. Instead, he will be on the books beyond that, as he has agreed to terms on a two-year, $36.71MM extension (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). 
Johnson had one year remaining on his rookie contract, so this deal will keep him in place through 2024. The relatively short term will give him an opportunity to hit the open market while still in his 20s. The extension will bring an end to the former third-rounder’s ‘hold-in’ during training camp, which has helped bring about new deals for a number of wideouts from the decorated WR class of 2019.
Garafolo adds that the contract includes $27MM in guaranteed money, and InsidetheBirds.com’s Adam Caplan tweets it includes a $17.5MM signing bonus. The deal will pay the 26-year-old $19MM in its first year (Twitter link). Overall, the annual average of $18.355MM ranks significantly lower than that of new deals signed by the likes of A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin this offseason. It was clear throughout this process that the Steelers wouldn’t match that level of compensation, with the $20MM-per-year mark being labeled a bar the team was unwilling to clear.
Pittsburgh remained able to come in short of that plateau, but still land the Pro Bowler at a reasonable rate. Having improved in each of his three seasons to date, Johnson eclipsed 1,000 yards last season as the team’s top pass catcher. Assuming he maintains that level of production going forward, a rate fractionally above that of Christian Kirk could prove to be significant value at a position which has seen a skyrocketing market in recent months.
Johnson’s new pact represents the second major extension taken care of by new general manager Omar Khan this offseason. The team already finalized a record-breaking deal with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, leaving them free to turn their attention to Johnson. The lack of substantive progress at any point this offseason – marked by the organization’s insistence that they would not deviate from their internal valuation of the Toledo alum – pointed to Johnson playing out this season and securing a new deal in free agency (which, in all likelihood, would have allowed him to earn notably more than the value of this extension).
Instead, he will continue to operate as the Steelers’ top wideout as they transition to the post-Ben Roethlisberger era at quarterback. Headlining a young offensive nucleus including fellow receivers Chase Claypool and George Pickens, along with running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth, Johnson is set to take another step forward with his financial future now taken care of.
Damn overpay. What’s that$500k per drop?
or amazing deal for steelers…
no way this guy couldn’t get 5 years on the open market
After this coming year I doubt he could get more than one year with Troubs throwing to him. He’s a product of the team. Bell leaving the team – failed. Brown – failed. Wallace – failed. Starts at the line, and even Ben began failing when that line either got injured or retired. They should’ve tossed those dollars into more OL upgrades. DJs drops in that wild card game was a killer. And even though he got better, it still hurts.
Starts at the line but he’d be worse on a better team with a better line and a better QB?
That is really a good deal for both sides. And wow, I am enjoying the Omar Khan era so far. The man is getting things done.
Try three years and $39.5 million. That’s the new contract according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
That’s the combined total of how much he will make while still contractually obligated to Pittsburgh. 2 years/36.7 million is the extension value plus 1 year/2.8 million to finish out his rookie deal
Seems about right. He wasn’t deserving of Deebo/DK money but that number seems like it’s right.
Big mistake. The money could have been spent on a position of bigger need.
Score!
It’s the perfect compromise for both sides.
DJ gets to lock in the life changing money today and then gets to free agency right after the big new TV deal.
The Steelers get an excellent WR on a decent contract that can easily be traded if Pickens and Austin blow up. He’s probably worth a good bit more in trade today than he was yesterday when an acquiring team was expecting a 100 mil demand.
Also, by the time this deal expires, the cap might have gone up a lot and they can extend him again.
I was going to question why Johnson wouldn’t just play out this year and get a long term deal as a UFA.
And THEN I remembered who was going to be throwing to him this year and he’s smart not to take the risk of a down year.
And who’s going to be throwing to him in the 3 years? It’s not like Roethlisberger is going to come back and be 30 years old again. You’re stuck with Trubisky and hope Pickett isn’t a bust. Most quarterbacks are
Pickett isn’t going to be a bust. Of this, I’m confident But nice of you to stop by with the daily troll. With the NFL pushing to keep Watson off the field this season, losing a couple to the Steelers again is going to be hard to swallow, no?
And you know this how? Apparently a lot of football people that are smarter than you think he may just be an average quarterback. In any other year, he’s a 3rd round pick. Pittsburgh needed a quarterback because Roethlisberger wouldn’t let them draft one
average QBs don’t go in r3
if he’s average that’s a win .. 20th overall pick
Rosen was 10th. I think you know taking him was a reach but the Steelers needed a quarterback badly. Time will tell but he graded as a 3rd
We beat the Steelers when it counts….in the playoffs. Remember that blowout?
not really .. too many steelers playoff games to remember
They haven’t won one in like 10 years. In fact they get embarrassed in the playoffs
I have fond memories of superbowl victories
Don’t ever get alzheimers
You and your Browns haven’t ever won anything. They’re really good at watching Super Bowls
Cleveland fans can remember all their playoff wins. Fans of quality franchises forget how many times they’ve won a playoff and remember the Super Bowl wins instead.
The Browns last won a game that mattered 48 years ago. Jim Brown (now 86 years old) was their offensive star that year.
He’ll do just fine…he’ll have Baby Hands Brady throwing him the ball!!! 🙂