Diontae Johnson not concerned with other receivers getting big new contracts

Diontae Johnson isn’t concerned with other wide receivers getting paid this offseason.

While the former Toledo star certainly has a claim for a new contract, Johnson isn’t ruffling any feathers entering another season in Pittsburgh.

“I’m not really worried about that,” Johnson said, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “There’s a lot of stuff going on out there, saying certain stuff about me.

“At the end of the day, I can only move forward and just control what I can control. I want to be here. I’m patient. I’m just going to keep working. My agent is going to do what he do in that situation, and I’m not going to focus on that.”

Moreover, Johnson has improved steadily in every season with the Steelers. To illustrate, Johnson amassed 680 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie season, then upped those statistics to 923 yards and seven touchdowns in his second season. Then, his best season came in Year 3, where Johnson caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

Still, Johnson has watched other wide receivers get paid this offseason for less. However, he knows his time will come to sign a lucrative contract in the NFL.

“It’s not like you don’t see it,” Johnson said, regarding other receivers getting paid. “You see it. A bell rings in your head like, such and such got this and such and such got that. I try not to look at that or pocket watch. Whoever gets the contract, they deserve it. They obviously put in the time and work.

“My time is going to come. Just being patient. If it comes this year, it’s a blessing. If it don’t, keep working.”

Diontae Johnson opens up about his relationship with new Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky

Moreover, Diontae Johnson is going to have a new quarterback under center with Mitch Trubisky in town, replacing Ben Roethlisberger. The two are already forming a good relationship, too.

The Steelers signed Trubisky to a two-year deal earlier this offseason as the heir apparent to Roethlisberger, who retired after the 2021 campaign. But Pittsburgh also selected a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, choosing former Pitt star Kenny Pickett as the No. 20 overall pick. That could make things interesting with a potential quarterback competition.

Through OTAs and as mandatory minicamp gets underway, Johnson acknowledged how things are without Roethlisberger running the offense. But he and Trubisky are getting along well, and it’s making for some good vibes heading into training camp.

“It’s different,” Johnson said, via Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley. “Other than Mason, it’s Chris, Kenny, and Mitch. Getting to know those three, just seeing what they do different. Picking their brain.

“I am really picking Mitch’s brain, trying to get that relationship with him. That is what is most exciting to me. Taking it a day at a time. When we are in practice, if a ball is coming my way, whatever play it is, just show that communication that we do have. I want to show it’s going to continue to grow for everybody. … We’re cool friends right now. He is a cool dude. It’s good.”