With their 16-10 victory over the Bengals on Sunday, the Steelers were able to get back in the win column. But the victory wasn’t without controversy, with receiver Diontae Johnson garnering most of the attention.
Johnson encountered difficulties in 2023, including a month-long absence owing to a hamstring ailment. He was an integral part of the offense when he returned, but the Steelers were not winning, and before Week 12, their offensive coordinator was fired.
Johnson’s emotions overcame him on Sunday, causing him to show obvious apathy in a play that ended in a turnover. Mike Tomlin, the head coach, acknowledged the problem and emphasized that Johnson had to move past the play’s emotional impact and concentrate on the next.
Johnson spoke with his teammates about the matter on Wednesday, acknowledging his flaws and pledging to move on. Though Johnson seemed to score a touchdown pass in the first quarter, the play was ruled incomplete, which frustrated him and affected his play on the field after that.
Johnson apologized for his error and said he was sorry he didn’t realize the play wasn’t finished. He stressed that he would have acted differently if he had been given another chance.
Even though Johnson prevailed, the event made some wonder if his performance would be impacted by his feelings. Over the previous year, the gifted receiving corps, led by George Pickens and Johnson, has demonstrated emotional reactions to their usage and performance. Johnson promised to grow from the experience while acknowledging his humanity and flaws.
Pittsburgh’s 7-4 record places them in the midst of a competitive AFC North playoff race. While the recent blunder didn’t cost them the game, the team recognizes the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding similar instances in the tight playoff race.
