While Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson is the Baltimore Ravens newest edition after being traded to the Charm City franchise in a fleece of a trade from the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, he is no stranger to the AFC North division.
“It still [doesn’t] seem real to me,” Johnson said Wednesday. “It’s a blessing for me just to get another opportunity to come back to the AFC North – that’s one thing that stuck out to me. Just to be a part of this great organization. I know what this organization’s about, because I played against them [for] a few years. Just to be on this side, like I said, is a blessing to me.”
Originally drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Toledo by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, he spent the first five years of his career making clutch catches and big plays against the Ravens including in the last division game he played in. It took place in Baltimore last year in a Week 18 regular season finale with the Steelers needing to win to get in the playoffs while the Ravens had nothing left to play for and were resting starters after locking up the No. 1 seed the week prior.
Johnson led Pittsburgh with four catches on five targets for 89 receiving yards, 71 of which came on a 71-yard catch and run touchdown that proved to be the deciding score in a 17-10 victory.
Now he will have two opportunities to return the favor with two matchups against his former team as the Ravens and Steelers have yet to play each other this season and will square off in Pittsburgh in Week 11 and in Baltimore in Week 16, both of which he is looking forward to and has marked on his calendar.
“I’m looking forward to [the Steelers] game,” Johnson said. “I’m focused on right now. Whatever game comes first before we get to that point – I’m going to do my job and just keep preparing.”
When he found out he was getting traded from the 1-7 Panthers who look poised to earn the No. 1 overall pick for the third year in a row to the Ravens who are a legitimate Super Bowl contender he let out a “sigh of relief” and was immediately ready to get to Baltimore and get to work acclimating himself with his new teammates and offensive scheme.
“[I’m] just trying to get in my playbook and study what I can [and] what they want me to learn,” Johnson said. “ [I’m] just trying to get acclimated and work with what they’re giving me right now.”
Despite playing in one of the worst offenses in the league with subpar quarterback play, Johnson was still able to put up solid numbers during his stint with the Panthers to begin the season. He led the team in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (three), receiving touchdowns (three), and receiving first downs (20).
Now he gets to join a loaded offense that has been one of the most potent and prolific in the entire league and is led by reigning MVP and rightful frontrunner, Lamar Jackson, by far the best quarterback Johnson has ever played with at any level.
“I know what Lamar brings to the table, so just to be able to contribute to the offense that he’s a part of and that he leads [and] is a leader of is a blessing,” Johnson said. “I’m going [to] do whatever I can to help this offense continue to get better.”
As far as what he can provide the Ravens on and off the field, Johnson believes he offers the total package from a reliable playmaking and veteran leadership standpoint.
“Just getting open; moving the sticks,” Johnson said. “Just trying to be that guy that the young guys can come to – just for route stuff [or] just little stuff that I know I can help them out with – and my playmaking skills out there, getting the ball and just [making] plays; bringing that energy to the offense.”
As far as what his immediate role will look like with the team, Johnson—who is capable of operating in the slot as well as outwide—shared that his coaches have him focusing on learning the ‘Z’ and ‘F’ receiver roles on offense and preparing for a potential return to contributing on special teams as a punt returner where he earned second team All Pro honors as a rookie.
“It’s been a minute since I’ve been back at punt returner,” Johnson said. “Whatever they need me to do to help the team win or anywhere I can contribute – right now, that’s my main focus.”
