The bad boy receiver of the week award has been all George Pickens the past few weeks, but another one has taken the crown in the eye of Steeler Nation after Sunday’s victory against the Bengals.
Diontae Johnson is being criticized for his seeming lack of effort in a play during the game Sunday.
Late in the first quarter, Steelers running back Jaylen Warren fumbled and the Bengals picked up the ball.
Video shows Johnson just taking a few steps before stopping and then turning around and walking back.
The Bengals then run by him with the football.
After the game, Johnson said he didn’t know it was a fumble and didn’t see the ball.
“No, I didn’t see it. I was just doing what I was doing — blocking or whatever,” said Johnson.
Steelers fans, national experts and others jumped on Johnson’s perceived lack of effort, including Taylor Lewan and Shannon Sharpe.
Sharpe said it was a bad look.
“Diontae Johnson, bro, you drop a touchdown, and then you walk off the ball, the ball is fumbled, and you do nothing? Man, hell no! Walking off the ball.”
Johnson has just seemingly scored a touchdown but it was ruled a no catch.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said he didn’t challenge the play because he didn’t see it well enough to throw the flag.
Johnson believed he had both feet in. He also commented on a few tweets (Xs) after the game.