The Baltimore Ravens are coming off their bye week sitting at 8-5, locked in a tight AFC playoff race. But instead of the usual chatter about how the team can bounce back after an anemic effort against the Philadelphia Eagles, the focus has shifted to wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
You'd think the team would be reeling from the fallout after being suspended for refusing to enter a Week 13 game against the Eagles. Except... they’re not.
According to the players and coaching staff, Johnson’s one-game suspension isn’t rocking the boat. In fact, if you believe their comments, it’s not even a ripple. But how much of that is true, and how much is just saying the right things in front of the mic?
When asked about Johnson’s situation, fellow wide receiver Zay Flowers kept it light. "It ain’t a distraction," he said. "He’s still one of my guys."
There’s still plenty of support in the locker room for Diontae Johnson. Zay Flowers said he is still “one of our guys” and firmly stated his suspension is not a distraction. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/tt5MkVTrm2
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) December 9, 2024
Rashod Bateman took it a step further, emphasizing that everyone in the locker room understands the stakes: "Everybody in here are grown men. We all know we have a task at hand."
The message from the players is clear—eyes on the prize. With four games left and the AFC North still within reach, there’s no room for drama. But let’s not sugarcoat it: the whole Diontae Johnson saga is bizarre. The Ravens traded for him at the deadline, hoping he’d provide a spark to their offense. Instead, he’s barely seen the field, catching just one pass for six yards in four games. And then, refusing to play? That’s next-level head-scratching.
So, does this situation really not affect the team, or are they just good at pretending? It feels like it's more of the former.
Johnson hasn’t exactly been central to the game plan. With Jackson spreading the ball around and Flowers emerging as a star, the Ravens’ passing attack hasn’t skipped a beat. It’s hard to call Johnson a "distraction" when he hasn’t been much of a factor.
Here’s the thing: while the Ravens may not need Johnson right now, his talent is undeniable. If he can get back on the field and actually contribute, it could be the boost the team needs down the stretch. But that’s a big "if." After his suspension, Johnson’s future in Baltimore looks murky at best.
For now, though, the Ravens seem content to let him sit in the background while they focus on the bigger picture. With games against the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Cleveland Browns remaining, there’s no time for distractions. Harbaugh and company are locked in, and if the rest of the locker room truly isn’t fazed by the Johnson debacle, it says a lot about the culture in Baltimore.
So while the Diontae Johnson drama might make for great headlines, the Ravens are focused on something much bigger: winning. And as long as they keep that energy, Flock Nation should feel good about this team heading into the playoffs.
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