Trade rumors involving Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson have started to heat up. So much so that NFL writers have began to speculate on potential trade destinations for Johnson this offseason.
According to Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, Johnson could sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
“Getting Johnson’s $15.8 million cap hit to fit on Dallas’ books given their annual cap issues would take a little doing, but extending the 27-year-old would solve that issue,” Davenport wrote in an email.
“Dallas received two compensatory draft picks this week, giving the Cowboys additional draft cash to play Let’s Make a Deal. And if Jones is actually committed to going ‘all-in,’ the organization might easily meet the reported asking price of a Day 2 choice for Johnson.”
Davenport requested that the Cowboys trade their 2024 third and seventh round picks to the Steelers for the 27-year-old receiver.
In addition to the Cowboys, Davenport presented trade proposals for Johnson from the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals.
Johnson, a 2021 Pro Bowler, missed four games due to a hamstring ailment in the 2023 season. However, in 13 games, he recorded 51 receptions, 717 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns.
Steelers ‘Open to Listening’ to NFL Trade Offers for WR Diontae Johnson
Johnson trade rumors originally arose from TribLive.com’s Mark Madden, who stated on the February 19 episode of the Breakfast with Benz podcast that the Steelers could release the veteran receiver this offseason.
The prospect gained national attention when Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline claimed on March 3 that, while Johnson was not on the trade block, the Steelers were eager to sell him for “fair compensation.”
On March 9, Dianna Russini of The Athletic added fuel to the claim.
“The Steelers are open to trade offers for WR Diontae Johnson,” Russini posted on X (previously Twitter). “There is interest from teams around the league as GMs are getting set for free agency.”
The Cowboys might be among those clubs. While wideout CeeDee Lamb led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,749, Dallas had no other receiver with more than 660 yards. Davenport also suggested that the Cowboys could release wide receiver Michael Gallup to save up cap money.
Johnson has emerged as a trade candidate in the recent month, as his current deal expires in the 2024 season. At the NFL combine, Steelers general manager Omar Khan declined to say whether the team has engaged Johnson in contract negotiations.
In an appearance on 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Show on March 4, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic stated that Johnson might not want to return to the Steelers.
For what it’s worth, Johnson essentially dismissed his trade speculations on social media on March 3 as just speculation.
