Should Diontae Johnson Get the Big Bucks?

While writing this, the Steelers currently have almost $14 mil in available cap space. Re-signing Johnson after his contract is up after the '22 season will carry a significant hit moving forward, considering that Johnson is currently only hitting the cap at about 3 mil. So let's play my new favorite offseason game I like to call: IS... HE... WORTH ITTTTTTT (imagine that being said in a game show fashion).

We just saw Juju Smith-Schuster depart to Kansas City on a one-year $3.5 mil deal. James Washington was signed by the Cowboys for 1 year and $1 mil, and Ray-Ray McCloud took his talents to San Francisco, on a 2 year, $4 mil deal. That left the Steelers with essentially just Chase Claypool and Johnson as the current starters at WR.

I know a lot of people are probably thinking "get rid of Diontae, he can't catch a ball and has cost us games!" -- which two years ago was a pretty valid argument. Last season, DJ had over 100 catches, 1000+ yards, and eight touchdowns - which easily made him the top receiver for the Steelers.

So let's go back to the initial question, is he worth it?

This offseason, the Steelers have shown that they are intently focused on improving the defense, and willing to shell out cash to keep it intact. If/when the Fitzpatrick deal happens, we will be looking at a significant portion of the Steelers cap spent on the defensive side of the ball, considering what TJ Watt is making annually. So is it worth keeping a WR like Johnson with a QB situation that remains unsettled?

I have been increasingly alarmed at the direction this franchise is headed in. I want to see more money spent on offense, so you would think I would be all for re-signing DJ. But again, I go back to the quarterback situation, and spending $90 mil on a WR that may not even be able to produce because of who's under center, may be a huge risk.

I want to have faith in Mitchell Trubisky if he is the starter, but he hasn't shown he's capable yet in the NFL. IF he's able to do that this season, and he and Diontae develop a rapport similar to the one Big Ben had with him, they should keep both of them.

I know this is really early to be discussing this, but if Trubisky is not the "savior,"  I think this might be Johnson's last season in the 'Burgh.