Diontae Johnson's stint with the Baltimore Ravens has come to an end after just four games, marking another chapter of his tumultuous NFL career. Waived by the Ravens on Friday, Johnson is now poised to be claimed by another team, with speculation surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers as likely candidates.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the receiver is expected to learn his new team on Monday, when waiver claims are processed. Currently, the NFL waiver order ranks teams based on their performance this season, meaning the New York Giants hold top priority, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders, and so forth down the line. The Chiefs, who hold the worst waiver position due to their stellar record, are interested, but they face challenges from teams lower down the standings, eager to snatch up Johnson.
Johnson's season started with the Carolina Panthers, who had traded for him from the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this year. After showing modest numbers with Carolina — where he tallied 30 receptions for 357 yards across seven games — Johnson was traded to the Ravens aiming to bolster their playoff push. Unfortunately, his time with the Ravens was marred by controversy. He managed only one catch for six yards before the team suspended him for conduct detrimental to the organization. This suspension stemmed from his refusal to play during Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Ravens acknowledged their frustrations publicly, with general manager Eric DeCosta stating, "We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team." The rapid decline from expectations highlights the collapse of what the Ravens hoped would be a productive addition to their roster.
The situation worsened when Johnson was excused from team activities after the suspension. The Ravens officially waived him following this decision, moving quickly to activate Anthony Miller from the practice squad as his replacement. Johnson played only 39 offensive snaps for Baltimore.
Johnson’s turbulent history with the Ravens speaks volumes about his struggles to fit within teams. The trade from the Steelers to the Panthers was initially exciting; yet, the backing from Carolina quickly deteriorated amid quarterback challenges. After feeling like he had found a new opportunity with Baltimore, Johnson's refusal to play indicated deep-seated issues, raising red flags about his professionalism and future opportunities.
While it’s uncertain what teams will take the plunge today with Johnson, factors like his past performance and talent still draw interest. He had previously demonstrated his potential, even earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021. With late-season games approaching, teams needing depth at receiver - like the Chiefs and the Chargers - might be drawn to claim Johnson, particularly since both franchises are on the playoff hunt.
Despite his rocky path, there’s optimism about his possibilities. Teams can see him as someone who, when properly motivated and utilized, could have the talent to substantially help bolstering their offenses. The dilemma looms larger though; even if claimed, would his attitude revert to poor sportsmanship or become part of building success?
Faced with potentially destructive reputations, both the Chargers and the Chiefs have weighed their options. Johnson has exhibited shaky commitment levels before. His behavior could eclipse skill sets and prevent him from solidifying roles within playoff-bound teams. Coaches who prioritize discipline and team cohesion may hesitate to gamble on his volatile performance history.
"Diontae Johnson’s on-field talent is undeniable, but whoever claims him should do so with sincere intentions to play him. Otherwise, they might discover the same issues as the Ravens did," Schefter asserted. Johnson’s signing would require careful consideration of team dynamics to avoid recreations of his Baltimore misadventure.
If he clears waivers, Johnson would become free to sign with any team. Possibilities loom large for Johnson, but teams watching close will undoubtedly interrogate his motivations and mindset before putting pen to paper.
The waiver claims deadline is set for Monday at 4 PM EST, creating palpable anticipation among teams with receiver needs. Whichever franchise claims Johnson may actively seek redemption for the embattled receiver or simply try to bench the former Raven to prevent divisional rivals from assimiliting his playmaking capabilities.
Regardless of who picks him up, Diontae Johnson has sparked discussions about attitude within professional sports and the balancing acts teams face when intricately assessing talent against urgency and reputational damage. The clock is ticking, and by Monday evening, we will know if the fourth time will prove the charm for Diontae Johnson, or if he faces the offseason closeted as a free agent seeking to rebuild his faltering career.
