The Arizona Cardinals have been connected to Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson, giving an interesting option at wide receiver should the team consider that route.
There is no solid report of it but Andrew Filliponi, who has a radio show in Pittsburgh, said the Cardinals, per source, are “a team to watch” as a potential trade partner for Johnson.
Local personality Mike Jurecki, who has covered the Cardinals for years, also said there was “buzz” around the NFL combine that the Cardinals could trade for Johnson.
Johnson enters the final year of his contract and is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 16. He will make $7 million in salary in 2024.
He has a reputation for being inconsistent but has been productive. Last season for Pittsburgh, he had 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns.
His best season was in 2021 when he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.
Filliponi suggests the Cardinals could trade one of their three third-round selections for Johnson. They would be on the hook for the $10 million due this year and they could extend his contract. He will be 28 years old before the season.
Johnson could be a backup plan should the Cardinals not come to an agreement with receiver Marquise Brown before free agency begins and have him get a deal elsewhere.
While the Cardinals are in position to take one of the top receivers in the draft, they likely will address the position in the offseason with a veteran, either bringing back Brown or adding another starting-caliber player.
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