LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Zero. It's a tough number to live with no matter the sport. After a Pro Bowl season in 2021, Diontae Johnson feels a new year can help him forget about scoring zero touchdowns in 2022.
Even when he had good games, not getting in the end zone weighed on Johnson. Last August, all was going right for Johnson. He had agreed to a new two-year contract for $36.7 million. He was coming off career highs in yards (1,161), touchdowns (eight), receptions (107), 59 of his catches went for first downs and he improved his catch percentage. The Steelers were banking on Johnson to help Mitch Trubisky and then Kenny Pickett work into their first seasons with their new team.
The first couple of games of last year he was getting targets, but the yards per target was low. He wasn't making plays and the team was struggling on offense. It came to a head in a blow up with Trubisky in the locker room at halftime of the Jets game.
"Obviously not getting in the end zone, that was my biggest issue every week," Johnson said Thursday. "What am I not doing right? Is it me or is it the defense? There was a lot of stuff going through my head."
While he had five games of over 60 yards receiving when Pickett took over, he never scored. It bothered him until the end. So much so in the last two games, Johnson caught just four of the 17 passes that went his way. He needed a break.
This offseason Johnson says he's had discussions with the coaches. He talked with Pickett and went down to Florida once to workout together. Johnson said he wishes he would have been able to do more, but thinking now they can have a strong camp together and right last season. He's optimistic it will happen.
"I feel like it's a ton of weight off my shoulders because I don't have to think about it, all I have to do is play," Johnson said of forgetting about last season. "Go with the game plan and if the ball comes my way, make a play on it."
Heading into his fifth year in the NFL, Johnson also feels a sense of relief not wondering who the starting QB will be.
"It helps a lot," Johnson said. "We know who is going to be our quarterback. We don't have to worry about that. We got the same group of guys back, and a couple new guys. We just add them in and everyone knowing the playbook and moving as one and being on the same page.
Everyone knowing each other's assignment."
That's where the improvement can come for him and the offense. Johnson says everyone moving as one, communicating and knowing the game plan will minimize mistakes and lead to the explosive plays lacking from him and the offense in 2022. There also has to be a willingness from the coaching staff to take more chances in the air and trust the playmakers to make plays. The lack of touchdowns was not all on Johnson.
The Steelers 2019 third-round pick also admits he can improve. He's not perfect, and will put in more effort as he tries to lead by example. The add of veteran Allen Robinson, a willing mentor, also helps take some of the burden of being a leader in the receiver room.
Johnson works with second-year receiver George Pickens, but also competes with him. He said if Pickens makes a play it drives him to also make a play. They are challenging each other to be their best in practice and the hope is it will show on the field.
It's been 19 games since Johnson got in the end zone. 23 games since he had 100 yards receiving. He comes with a fresh attitude looking for that to pay off in 2023.
"I can only control what I can control," Johnson said. "I'm not worried about that (lack of TDs). That was last year, it's a new year. I'm ready."
