The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and the matchup holds special significance as the Ravens recently acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson during the trade deadline. In a press conference on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned that he has not focused extensively on developing a defensive strategy specifically for Johnson. Instead, he indicated that the Ravens possess 'more significant pieces with larger roles that occupy my attention.'
Diontae Johnson began his career with the Steelers, playing five seasons in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in the most recent offseason. After a brief period with the Panthers, Johnson was traded again to the Ravens on October 29, where expectations were high for his role in enhancing the team's passing game. However, his performance has been modest, recording only one catch for six yards during his initial two games with Baltimore, which might support Tomlin's assertion regarding the limited film available on Johnson as a Raven.
As the Steelers and Ravens gear up for a contest that will determine first place in the AFC North, Johnson may be particularly motivated to demonstrate his capabilities in front of his former team. As he approaches free agency at the end of the season, his impending status as a desirable player in the market adds an extra layer of intrigue to his performance. The Steelers, currently on a four-game winning streak, aim to solidify their position as one of the top contenders for the AFC in the upcoming Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Johnson and the Ravens will seek to reclaim dominance in the division as they strive to play spoiler this Sunday.
