Baltimore, MD – June 26, 2025
It only took a few weeks for Diontae Johnson to become one of the strangest footnotes in Ravens history — and somehow, he’s still stirring the pot. The former wide receiver, who spent less than two months with Baltimore during the 2024 season, is now speaking out about his controversial stint, and it’s leaving Ravens fans anything but amused.
In a recent appearance on the “Sports and Suits” podcast, Johnson finally addressed the bizarre Week 13 incident that led to his suspension and eventual release. He claims cold weather during the Ravens' matchup against the Eagles kept him from taking the field, saying his legs were “ice cold” and he didn’t want to “put bad stuff on film.”
The moment, which was already baffling when it happened, now looks even worse in hindsight. Johnson said coaches urged him to enter the game late in the third quarter. His response? “Nah, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me.”
Coming from a Florida native who played college ball in chilly Toledo and spent five full seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the excuse didn’t land well — especially not in a gritty city like Baltimore, where weather has never been an acceptable reason to sit out.
When asked why he made that decision, Johnson doubled down: “It’s not like I didn’t wanna go into the game, but leading up to this point, I had been through so much. … I told them I’m not finna go in, so I just sat on the bench, and that’s when they suspended me.”
The aftermath was swift. The Ravens waived him on December 20, and he was briefly picked up — and then dropped — by the Houston Texans. Now a member of the Cleveland Browns, Johnson posted a message to Ravens fans on X that simply read: “move on.” A follow-up post seemed to accuse critics of “having his name in (their) mouth,” as if the fallout was just a matter of personal vendetta rather than accountability.
The numbers tell the story: four appearances, one start, one catch, six yards. That’s the full extent of Johnson’s contribution to Baltimore’s 2024 campaign.
He now heads to Cleveland on a one-year, $1.17 million contract, hoping to find redemption in a receiver corps that could use depth. But for Ravens fans, the book on Johnson is already closed — and not with a happy ending.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
