The newest flip in Diontae Johnson‘s journeyman 2024 season befell 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 swimsuit 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 staff 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 choose. Extra instantly, this transfer prevents the 28-year-old from changing into a free agent amongst the eight remaining playoff staff. Had Johnson cleared waivers, an suitor may have introduced him in as depth possibility on offense.
Contemplating how this marketing campaign has performed out, in fact, it will have come as a shock if any staff 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 staff’s offensive struggles.
Because the commerce deadline approached, it turned clear a deal sending the pending free agent elsewhere was seemingly, and he was despatched to Baltimore.
That transfer resulted in sparse utilization, nevertheless, one thing Johnson took subject with. After making solely 4 appearances with the Ravens, he was waived and claimed by the Texans as a part of their efforts to exchange 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 have the ability to flip his consideration to free company in March. As soon as his two-year, $36.71M pact expires, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see what number of groups are prepared to entertain signing him.
