One of the difficult things about the NFL is that the league will move on quickly from former players. Once a career takes a turn for the worse, it is very hard for it to get back on track.
That seems to be the case for former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson. After being let go by the Browns at final cuts last season, the 30-year-old has not been able to land with another team.
Now, Johnson has sparked concern with a social media post where he describes himself as “broken” and filled with regrets.
“I ain’t there mentally where I wanna be at right now. [I’m] really broken on the inside. I regret every decision I made up until this point,” Johnson said.
Prayers: Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson says he is in a bad place mentally right now and feels "broken" inside.
"I ain't there mentally right now. (I’m) really broken on the inside. I regret every decision I made up until this point."
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 21, 2026
As a third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Toledo, Johnson emerged as a success story over his first four seasons. He posted 20 touchdowns and more than 3,600 yards during that time, highlighted by 107 receptions for 1,161 yards in his 2021 Pro Bowl campaign.
Yet, heading into the final year of his contract, the Steelers decided to trade Johnson to the Carolina Panthers during the 2024 offseason. After putting up 30 receptions for 357 yards in seven games, he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
There, things took a turn for the worse. He made just one catch for six yards and was suspended after refusing to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, claiming he was mentally checked out and afraid of what his performance might look like on film.
He was waived by Baltimore and claimed by the Houston Texans, who then released him after he was unhappy with just one catch in a wild-card playoff victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. Johnson signed with the Browns last April and was let go after making three receptions for six yards in three preseason games.
This winter, social media videos of Johnson working out included some with current Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy. Now, this latest video reveals a completely different tone.
Hopefully, Johnson can overcome these personal issues, even if he is unable to return to the NFL at some point in the future.
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