Steelers WR Diontae Johnson on 1-2 start: 'Don't count us out just yet'

Pittsburgh’s offense has been lousy through three games, ranking second-to-last in the NFL. Surprisingly, a breakout is on the horizon, not gloom and doom, according to star wide receiver Diontae Johnson. 

“I wouldn't count us out just yet,” Johnson told reporters in a Wednesday news conference. “It’s all gonna come together.” 

The jumbled offense can’t mesh soon enough for offensive coordinator Matt Canada. They’ve produced 272.7 yards per game, a far cry from the league average of 344.4. Pittsburgh fans and media condemned him for the Steelers 1-2' record. 

Johnson didn’t directly say it was Canada’s fault, but there was a certain implication. 

“It’s on us to make the plays and coaches to put us in the right spot. I feel like they’ve been doing that,” Johnson said. 

Slow starts aren’t an anomaly; the Steelers have overcome them before. Last season, a 1-3 start didn’t prevent a playoff berth.

This rocky start feels different, though, because the Steelers don’t have team legend Ben Roethlisberger. The largely immobile quarterback didn’t light up a stat sheet in 2021, but he provided valuable experience, which pushes a team through a turbulent time. 

It’s of the utmost importance when the offense, “Seemingly (has) no real plan. And it could get worse,” writes The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly.

After facing the Jets this week, the Steelers have the toughest portion of their schedule: Bills in Week 5, Buccaneers in Week 6, Dolphins in Week 7 and Eagles in Week 8.

Johnson and company need a miraculous offensive improvement.