The market for ex-Ravens receiver Dionate Johnson appears to be heating up after his ugly union with Baltimore came to an end Friday.
Two days after Baltimore waived the wideout, whom they acquired before the trade deadline in the fall, NFL Network reported Sunday that Johnson could potentially be claimed on waivers by a playoff contender, citing the Chiefs, Chargers and Steelers as clubs to keep an eye on.
For those keeping tabs, the Chargers — led by Jim Harbaugh, the younger brother of Ravens coach John Harbaugh — are the highest of the three teams referenced in the report by waiver order.
Potential destinations for Diontae Johnson include the Steelers, Chiefs, and Chargers, per @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/3UXtPAWtrD
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 22, 2024
Los Angeles is No. 21 in waiver priority, followed by the Steelers at No. 25. The Chiefs are last at No. 32.
Kansas City is currently the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture with the Steelers in the No. 3 slot. The Chargers remain in the hunt for a wild-card spot.
The Steelers fell to the Ravens on Saturday, 34-17, hours after Baltimore released Johnson.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Johnson potentially returning to Pittsburgh in the wake of the loss.
“I have nothing to add about someone who’s not in our football team right now,” Tomlin said.
Johnson, 28, was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft at No. 66 overall.
He was traded to the Panthers before the 2024 season and later shipped to Baltimore in October in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
The marriage was tumultous to say the least, with the Ravens suspending Johnson in December for failing to enter the team’s Week 13 loss to the Eagles.
Johnson finished his time in Baltimore with one catch fo six yards.
The one-time Pro Bowler isn’t the only notable receiver looking for a new home late into the season.
The Dolphins released Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this month in what was described as a mutual decision.
