The Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson without a real backup plan. Could they make the same mistake with George Pickens in 2025?

Diontae Johnson played for four different teams in 12 months with the last one being just a three-week stay with the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans have cut former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. The Texans claimed Johnson off waivers after the Baltimore Ravens released him in Week 16. The Ravens cut Johnson after he refused to go into the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was upset by his role and lack of snaps.

The grass is always greener on the other side of Steel City, and without a doubt, former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson found this out the hard way in 2024—but is the receiver's recent drama an eye-opener for critics of Steelers HC Mike Tomlin?

On Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens made a shrewd move when they signed a former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver.

When you play on three teams during a season after being cut twice, it’s usually a good sign that things are coming to an end for you. In Diontae Johnson’s case, his NFL career is quickly coming to an end after the Houston Texans waived him after he appeared in just two games.

Diontae Johnson, who had a brief time with the Texans, was claimed by one of his previous teams (the Ravens) in what may be procedural move.

Back to Baltimore: The Ravens claimed their former WR Diontae Johnson on waivers today from the Texans, per the league’s wire. This a procedural move and Johnson won’t officially be “awarded” to the Ravens until after the Super Bowl. But he qualifies as an unrestricted free agent… pic.twitter.com/5bGRL9ymcX

Johnson was disgruntled during his stint with the Ravens, earning a suspension for refusing to enter a game and ultimately getting waived by Baltimore. The Texans were Johnson's fourth team in the span of a calendar year, dating back to his time with the Steelers.

Diontae Johnson's trip around the NFL has made more headlines than his play this season. The Houston Texans waived the wide receiver on Tuesday less than a month after claiming him off of waivers per NFL insider Tom Pelissero. "The #Texans waived WR Diontae Johnson, who is now looking for his fifth team in a calendar year," Pelissero said on X.

The Houston Texans announced Tuesday they waived veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson. The move comes before Houston is scheduled to face Patrick Mahomes