Diontae Johnson, a former Pro Bowl wide receiver, has been waived by the Houston Texans after just two appearances. Johnson's tumultuous 2024 season saw him play for four different teams, starting with the Carolina Panthers, moving to the Baltimore Ravens, and finally landing with the Texans. His tenure with each team was marred by issues, including a suspension for refusing to enter a game and a lack of playing time. Johnson's future in the NFL remains uncertain as he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Diontae Johnson's 2024 NFL season has been a rollercoaster, marked by trades, waivers, and brief stints with multiple teams. The wide receiver, once a Pro Bowl player with the Pittsburgh Steelers, found himself on the move again as the Houston Texans waived him after just two games. This decision comes amidst a challenging year for Johnson, who has struggled to find a stable role on any team. His journey this season began with the Carolina Panthers, followed by a trade to the Baltimore Ravens, before ending with the Texans.
Diontae Johnson's 2024 season began with the Carolina Panthers, where he quickly established himself as a key target in their passing game. Despite his contributions, including 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games, the Panthers traded him to the Baltimore Ravens. His time with the Ravens was short-lived, marred by a one-game suspension for refusing to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This incident led to his release in December, prompting the Houston Texans to claim him off waivers following injuries to their receiving corps [1] [2].
Johnson's time with the Houston Texans was brief and underwhelming. He played in the regular-season finale and the wild-card playoff game, recording a total of three catches for 24 yards. Despite the Texans' need for depth at wide receiver, Johnson's frustrations with limited playing time became evident. Following Houston's playoff victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Johnson was reportedly upset in the locker room, leading to his release. Coach DeMeco Ryans stated, 'With Diontae, unfortunately it didn't work out and we're on to the Chiefs,' as the team prepared for their divisional-round matchup against Kansas City [3] [4].
As Diontae Johnson enters the 2025 offseason, his future in the NFL remains uncertain. Having been waived by four different teams in a year, his value as a free agent is in question. Johnson's career, which began with promise in Pittsburgh, has been overshadowed by recent controversies and inconsistent performances. Despite his past success, including a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, Johnson will need to address concerns about his attitude and commitment if he hopes to secure a spot on another NFL roster. The coming months will be crucial as he seeks to convince teams of his potential value [5] [6].
Diontae Johnson's journey through the 2024 NFL season highlights the challenges faced by players navigating team dynamics and personal performance. His release from the Houston Texans underscores the importance of adaptability and professionalism in a competitive league. As Johnson enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, the focus will be on whether he can reconcile his past issues and present himself as a valuable asset to potential teams. The next steps in his career will be critical in determining his future in the NFL.
"With Diontae, unfortunately it didn't work out and we're on to the Chiefs." - DeMeco Ryans