WR Diontae Johnson 'ready to work' as he awaits potential contract extension from Steelers

Diontae Johnson sees the exorbitant contracts being given to top NFL receivers, and he wants to share in the riches.

He just doesn’t plan to use a holdout as a method of obtaining one.

The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, who is entering his fourth year, reported to mandatory minicamp Tuesday and practiced with teammates. That’s a contrast to his approach to voluntary OTAs, when he showed up for just one of the six sessions.

“I’m just here to work, do what I’m told and get the job done,” Johnson said. “That is my focus.”

That doesn’t mean Johnson hasn’t paid attention to the deals other receivers have gotten this offseason. Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, A.J. Brown, Stefon Diggs and Chris Godwin are among the receivers who have received contracts that include at least $60 million in guarantees. Hill, Adams and Brown were traded before landing new contracts, and Diggs and Godwin signed extensions.

In all, seven of the 10 highest-paid receivers signed their deals this offseason.

“It’s not like you don’t see it. You see it,” Johnson said. “The bell rings in your head: Such and such got this, and such and such got that. I try not to look at the pocket watch and stuff like that. Whoever gets a contract, I feel like they deserve it because they, obviously, put in the time and the work.

“My time is going to come.”

The question is whether it will be this summer before the start of the regular season when the Steelers cut off contract negotiations or in March when Johnson can become an unrestricted free agent.

“I want to be here,” Johnson said. “I’m patient, and I’m going to keep working. My agent is going to do what he (can) do.”

A common thread of all of the new wide receiver contracts being doled out is that the top 10 pass catchers each have an average annual value of $20 million a season.

And Johnson, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he set career highs with 107 receptions, 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns, believes he is in that company.

“Most definitely,” he said. “Film don’t lie.”

Other NFL receivers in a similar situation as Johnson are San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel and Washington’s Terry McLaurin. All members of the 2019 draft class who were selected after the first round and aren’t bound by a fifth-year option. McLaurin, like Johnson, was selected in the third round. Samuel was taken in the second.

“We talk, but we try not to focus on that,” said Johnson, who will earn $2.79 million in base salary this year. “We can’t control that. We have to let our agents handle that situation and hope for the best.”

For Johnson, that means attending this week’s mandatory practice sessions and catching passes from three of the new quarterbacks on the roster. He said he also plans to practice at training camp.

Outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who was seeking a contract extension last summer, didn’t participate in team portions of practice until his deal was finalized.

“I’m here doing what I’m supposed to do each and every day,” Johnson said. “If the contract comes this year, it comes. If it don’t, it don’t. I’m not worried about it. I’m ready to play football and be a Steeler.”

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick took a page from Watt’s playbook Tuesday by reporting but spent team portions of practice as an on-field observer. Asked how much Fitzpatrick would participate, coach Mike Tomlin said, “We’ll play it by ear.”

Approached by a reporter before practice, Fitzpatrick said he wasn’t answering questions. He also did not speak after practice.

“Everyone has to handle their own situation differently,” Watt said during OTAs when he was asked if he had advice for Fitzpatrick. “It’s just one of those things where he’s got to go through it and learn a little bit differently. If he has questions, I’m an open book.”