In any hyper-competitive industry where the slightest advantage over competitors can either make or break long-term goals that took years to enact and millions to fund, organizations are constantly performing a delicate balancing act when it comes to their most talented employees. Nowhere is this more true than in the NFL, where this ever-constant tug of war between production and tolerance influences every personnel-related decision within every team.
Prime examples of this can be found in players such as Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and more recently, Antonio Brown, who each possessed the drastically conflicting traits of profound on-field production as well as concerning character issues. It’s fair to assume that if these three receivers did not have their characteristic Hall of Fame talents, their teams would have quickly calculated that their antics were not worth the headache and swiftly moved on from them.
Diontae Johnson Hoping for a Bounce-Back Season in Cleveland
Diontae Johnson, recently signed to the Browns, is the latest in a long line of players whose careers are struggling due to this issue of production vs. tolerance. Johnson certainly started his pro career as a prime producer, putting up impressive numbers for the Steelers and even making a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021. After leaving the Steelers following the 2023 season, though, Johnson has been pressing the limits of teams’ tolerance that his production has struggled to match.
Last season, Johnson found himself starting the season for the Panthers before being traded to the Ravens. While there, Johnson made headlines by refusing to enter a crucial Week 13 matchup against the Eagles, a decision which earned him a suspension and eventually a kick to the curb.
After this crashout, the Texans picked up Johnson off waivers, believing that his documented character issues could be outweighed by the talent he had shown glimpses of in the past. After only playing one game for Houston, though, Johnson was again waived, only to find himself back in Baltimore of all places. Johnson never played another game for the team he once quit on and was later allowed to leave for Cleveland.
Now, likely on his last chance to establish himself as a worthwhile investment in this league, Johnson has to overcome his own tarnished reputation. Things got off to a rocky start in Cleveland, at least from a public image standpoint, when Johnson chose not to attend voluntary OTAs, which many saw as a worrisome sign, even if certain members of the Browns’ organization, like head coach Kevin Stefanski, attempted to downplay growing concerns.
Even after Johnson finally appeared at mandatory mini-camp, he and his character remained targets of attention. In a recent press conference, Johnson said many of the “right” things uneasy fans wanted to hear from someone they were so unsure about.
Johnson mentioned multiple times his desire to “make the most of my opportunities,” and his motivation to “change the narrative” surrounding him. When pressed, he offered little explanation for his 2024 debacle, stating that “Last year was last year,” emphasizing his eagerness to move on, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi.
When asked about his absence from OTAs, Johnson shrugged off the question, claiming that he “had a coach,” a vague statement that warrants more questions about his inner circle and off-field support network.
He also mentioned his relationship with fellow former Steeler Kenny Pickett, who seems to have played at least some role in bringing Johnson to Cleveland. Johnson revealed that the Browns were the only team that reached out to him, underlining the fact that this very well could be his last rodeo if he fails to walk the straight and narrow. If this season proves to be a renaissance year for Diontae, both personally and professionally, he may owe Pickett a huge debt of thanks.
Johnson must be aware that there are other talented receivers still lingering on the free agent market who would not bring with them the character uncertainties that he does, even if they would come at a higher price tag. It's simple calculus to conclude that he needs the Browns far more than the Browns need him.
Should Browns fans take Johnson at his word? Should they believe him when he says that one bad year doesn’t define him as a player or as a person? Can he really prove his critics wrong by changing the narrative? Only time will tell. One thing is certain, though: talk is cheap, and Johnson’s actions as Brown will speak far louder than his words.