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Steelers Have Diontae Johnson Replacement in Free Agency

If Diontae Johnson moves on, the Pittsburgh Steelers have an easy replacement on the free agent market.

Stephen Thompson

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PITTSBURGH -- Diontae Johnson had a resurgent season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, but the team could look to sell high on a receiver with a hefty cap hit and sign his replacement in free agency. 

The Athletic's Mark Kaboly believes that, if the Steelers do opt to move on from Johnson - who is in the final year of a two-year $36,710,000 contract - they could find his replacement in former Buffalo Bill, Gabe Davis. 

"With Diontae Johnson’s future in question past 2024, the Steelers have to be interested in a receiver at some point this offseason. Davis didn’t take a leap in his fourth year as expected. His numbers stayed stagnant, as he managed only 45 catches, but seven were touchdowns. He has at least six touchdowns in all four NFL seasons."

The Steelers would save $10 million against the cap but still shoulder $5,833,334 in dead cap money if they release Johnson, so the likely move would be a trade, given that he's still a productive player nearing his prime. 

Davis is a big-play threat who's production took a small step back in 2023, but he still is averaging 6.75 touchdown receptions per season over his four years in the NFL. Davis caught seven touchdown receptions last season while the Steelers caught 13 as a team. 

Davis's rookie contract expires with the start of the new league year this month and Spotrac.com estimates the former fourth round pick is worth nearly $54.5 million over four years for an averaged of $13.6 million. 

Kaboly identifies him as a "logical fit" that addresses a need for the Steelers without breaking the bank. Kaboly pegged players like linebacker Patrick Queen, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and center Connor Williams as "luxury fits" that would be perfect fits from the free agent pool, but cost the Steelers an arm and a leg to add.  

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general. 

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