Former Steelers Draft Pick Visits Pittsburgh After Ravens Release, Hopes for Reunion
Pittsburgh, PA – September 30, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be on the verge of a familiar reunion. After a turbulent stretch with multiple teams, one of their former draft picks has returned to Pittsburgh with hopes of donning black and gold once again.
That player is wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who spent five seasons with the Steelers from 2019 to 2023 before a short and difficult stint elsewhere. Released by the Baltimore Ravens late in 2024, Johnson made a surprise visit to the Steelers’ facility this week.
“Leaving Pittsburgh was the hardest part of my career. I never wanted to wear purple, and when the Ravens let me go, I knew where my heart belonged,” Johnson said.
Johnson was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, quickly carving out a role as one of the team’s top pass catchers. Across 77 games in Pittsburgh, he tallied 391 receptions, 4,363 yards, and 25 touchdowns, while earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 and a Second-Team All-Pro honor in 2019 as a punt returner.
His time with Pittsburgh was defined by sharp route-running, explosive plays, and occasional struggles with drops. Still, he was a pivotal piece of the post-Ben Roethlisberger offense, helping the Steelers reach the playoffs in 2020 and 2021.
After being traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2024 and then briefly playing for the Ravens, Johnson’s career hit turbulence. A team suspension in Baltimore and lack of production left his future in doubt. Now 29 years old, he’s determined to write a new chapter back where it all started.
For the Steelers, the timing could be significant. With injuries thinning the wide receiver corps behind DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, Johnson’s experience and familiarity with Pittsburgh’s system could offer a much-needed boost.
Whether the front office takes a chance on reuniting with Johnson remains to be seen, but for Steelers Nation, the idea of seeing him back in black and gold is already sparking heavy debate across social media.
Packers to Lower Flag and Delay Kickoff Today in Honor of Charlie Kirk and 9/11 Remembrance
Green Bay, WI – September 11, 2025
The Green Bay Packers have announced a special tribute taking place
CEO Ed Policy confirmed that the American flag will be lowered to half-mast
“Charlie wasn’t just a public figure — he was a proud fan of the Green Bay Packers. When we honor him, we honor one of our own. And as we remember the lives lost on September 11, we remind ourselves that our strength as a nation and as a family shines brightest in moments of loss,”
Fans are invited to participate by laying flowers and signing tribute walls inside Lambeau Field. The ceremony will include a video honoring Kirk’s life, followed by a remembrance tribute for the victims of 9/11.
NFL officials confirmed that games across the league will also include moments of silence this weekend. But the Packers’ decision to hold today’s combined tribute emphasizes the organization’s commitment to making remembrance central to the game-day experience.
Reactions on social media poured in, with many praising the team for balancing competition with compassion — recognizing Kirk as part of Packers Nation while also standing in solidarity with the memory of 9/11.
For fans in Green Bay, today’s game will carry profound meaning: football will be played, but it begins with memories that unite both a community and a country.
