The Pittsburgh Steelers began voluntary workouts Monday amid reports of a star sitting out for a grand payday.
According to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, wide receiver Diontae Johnson didn’t report to the team’s first offseason training session.
Fillippoini previously reported that the 25-year-old wants a five-year, $90 million extension.
Source: Diontae Johnson did not attend the start of the Steelers voluntary offseason program today. The man wants paid. Like his perceived WR peers. McLaurin, Metcalf, Deebo Samuel.
Should the Steelers give Diontae Johnson a new deal?
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 18, 2022
Johnson disputed Monday’s news, posting “Don’t believe everything you see” on Twitter.
“If they don’t have a story, they gone make one,” Johnson wrote.
Don’t believe everything you see lol
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) April 18, 2022
If they don’t have a story.. they gone make one 🤷🏾♂️
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) April 18, 2022
As a third-round pick from 2019, Johnson will make $2.79 million in his fourth NFL season. He’s certainly outplayed that salary, leading the Steelers with 107 catches, 1,161 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns last season.
He wouldn’t be the only star wideout to sit out offseason activities while desiring a raise. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, and Terry McLaurin are not expected to partake in any workouts. Brown wasn’t as shy about his intentions, laughing off critics calling him “a diva and a bad teammate all of sudden.”
After JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington signed elsewhere, Johnson should remain a key building block in Pittsburgh’s plans alongside Chase Claypool. With him shedding doubt on reported discontent, it remains to be seen how soon Johnson will begin working with new Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
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