Diontae Johnson had a rough season last year, and we have a little more understanding of what he was going through.
Johnson was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Carolina Panthers in March 2024. He spent half a season with the Panthers before they traded him to Baltimore in late October. Baltimore suspended Johnson after he refused to enter a game in December. Now we’re learning more of the story behind that incident.
Johnson joined former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia on his “Sport and Suits” show for an interview that was published this month. During the interview, Johnson discussed the Ravens-Eagles game he refused to enter. Johnson provided some context and an explanation of his reasoning.
“I wasn’t getting into no run plays, no passing plays or nothing. It was cold,” Johnson said. “End of the third going into the fourth, they were like, ‘Tae, we need you.’ I was like, ‘Nah, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me.’ Like, my legs are already ice cold and I didn’t wanna go out there and put bad stuff on film. It’s not like I didn’t wanna go into the game, but leading up to this point, I had been through so much. … I told them I’m not finna (sic) go in, so I just sat on the bench, and that’s when they suspended me.”
Johnson was waived by the Ravens a few weeks after that incident. The Houston Texans claimed him off waivers but waived him less than a month later due to his behavior. He was picked up again by the Ravens, though he did not see playing time for them. He has since signed with the Cleveland Browns.
If Johnson had issues with the cold in a game in Baltimore, he probably won’t enjoy the cold in Cleveland either. This really is just a behavioral matter that seemed to consistently be an issue for Johnson throughout the year, regardless of what team he played for.
Johnson also gave a hint during that interview about whom he thinks will win the Browns’ quarterback job.
H/T Steelers Now