The most recent flip in Diontae Johnson‘s journeyman 2024 season happened yesterday when he was waived by the Texans. The veteran wideout’s future for the rest of the marketing campaign has now been settled.
Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Ravens on Wednesday, per the transactions wire (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). To be clear, that is merely a procedural transfer; he is not going to go well with up for Baltimore over the rest of the postseason. Like all waived gamers at the moment of yr, Johnson is not going to formally be awarded to the workforce till after the Tremendous Bowl.
By advantage of being a Raven as soon as the league yr ends, Johnson departing on the open market may put Baltimore in line for a 2026 compensatory decide. Extra instantly, this transfer prevents the 28-year-old from changing into a free agent amongst the eight remaining playoff workforce. Had Johnson cleared waivers, an suitor may have introduced him in as depth choice on offense.
Contemplating how this marketing campaign has performed out, in fact, it might have come as a shock if any workforce had been notably eager on bringing Johnson in for the stretch run. The previous Steeler was traded to the Panthers this offseason, and his early manufacturing with Carolina was notable given the workforce’s offensive struggles.
Because the commerce deadline approached, it grew to become clear a deal sending the pending free agent elsewhere was doubtless, and he was despatched to Baltimore.
That transfer resulted in sparse utilization, nevertheless, one thing Johnson took challenge with. After making solely 4 appearances with the Ravens, he was waived and claimed by the Texans as a part of their efforts to interchange the injured Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.
Johnson performed just one sport in the course of the common season earlier than participating in final week’s wild-card contest, and his taking part in time (or lack thereof) was once more a difficulty. The Toledo product’s newest departure got here as no shock, and it compounds what’s going to already be a very poor free agent market this spring.
Now, Johnson will be capable of flip his consideration to free company in March. As soon as his two-year, $36.71M pact expires, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see what number of groups are keen to entertain signing him.