3 reasons Pittsburgh Steelers will disappoint in 2022

2. Wide receiver questions

The Steelers have a dilemma on their hands with Diontae Johnson who wants to be paid like a top wideout. And so far in his career, he’s proven that he’s worth the big money.

A former third-round pick, Johnson had 254 receptions for 2,764 yards and 20 touchdowns. Most importantly, he’s improved in every statistical category throughout his first three seasons and had 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

The question Pittsburgh is asking is whether or not they want to fork out the kind of money players such as Terry McLaurin just received — McLaurin signed a three-year, $68 million deal with the Washington Commanders.

In the past, they’ve allowed players to walk — Emmanuel Sanders, Plaxico Burress, and Santonio Holmes are just a few examples — and have come out looking better. And as was the case with the wideouts they let walk, they have options behind Johnson with Chase Claypool and rookie George Pickens.

They do need to ask, however, if Pickens can ascend to starting level by 2023 and if Claypool has the makeup to be a No. 1 guy — he has shown a tendency to say things that bring bad attention to the team but then again, that’s kind of what Steelers receivers do anymore.

None of this should doom the season by itself but anytime a star player has a lingering contract concern following them into the season, there’s a risk that things could go south.