Steelers Rumors: PIT Won't Offer Diontae Johnson 'Near' Terry McLaurin's New Contract

A new contract similar to the three-year, $70 million extension signed by Terry McLaurin is unlikely to be signed by Diontae Johnson.

According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, "They aren't offering him anything near McLaurin or anyone else that got more than $20 million per annum." He will get paid somewhere else next year because they won't give him what he wants on the market.

The final year of Johnson's contract will have him with a $3.1 million cap hit, which is 63rd in the league.

The third-round pick earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season after totaling 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdown.

The most from a draft class that also includes A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel and others is Johnson's 254 reception over three years, which is 32 more than the next closest player.

Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp are some of the players who have recently signed new contracts. Twelve different receivers are expected to make 20 million dollars a year by the end of the decade.

The other players at Johnson's position are getting paid while he searches for his own contract.

Last month, Johnson said it was not like you didn't see it. You notice it. You can hear a bell in your head. I don't want to look at that. They should get the contract. The people put in a lot of time and effort. I'm going to get my time. Being patient is what it's all about. It is a blessing if it arrives this year. Don't stop working if it doesn't work out.

It seems likely that Johnson will play this season without a new deal and hit free agency in 2023 because the offers from the Steelers seem far away.