WR Diontae Johnson talks about spat with Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky: 'We squashed it'

While unwilling to provide details, wide receiver Diontae Johnson said Wednesday that he and quarterback Mitch Trubisky talked “man to man” and are fine after a reported argument between the Pittsburgh Steelers teammates at halftime of the Oct. 2 game against the New York Jets.

Johnson reportedly was upset he wasn’t being targeted enough by Trubisky, who was benched in favor of rookie Kenny Pickett to start the third quarter of the 24-20 loss to the Jets.

“We squashed it,” Johnson said after practice. “No hard feelings toward one another. I’m cool with him. He’s cool with me. We moved on, and we’re still cool.”

Trubisky declined to speak with the media after practice, saying he had to go lift weights. That left Johnson to explain what happened during the alleged argument.

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“I don’t want to get too much into detail of that,” Johnson said. “We are both passionate about the game. Stuff happens during football. We are fine. We talked about it. We made up about it over the whole situation. … That’s still my guy at the end of the day. I’m going to keep playing for him, cheering for him — whatever he needs me to do.

“If I can help him look good out there, I”ll do it. There’s no bad blood between us at all.”

Johnson was targeted twice in the first half of that game. The first pass went through his hands and was intercepted, giving the Jets possession at the Steelers 36. On the second target, Johnson caught the ball in the back of the end zone for a potential 23-yard touchdown, but it was ruled that he failed to get both feet down before going out the back of the end zone.

Asked if there was a particular play that led to the argument, Johnson said, “No trigger. It’s football. We moved on. It was in the past. I’m focused on the Dolphins this week.”

Johnson praised Trubisky for the way the veteran quarterback replaced a concussed Pickett in the third quarter on Sunday in Tampa Bay and helped the Steelers pull out a 20-18 victory. Trubisky completed 9 of 12 passes for 144 yards and helped the Steelers run out the clock after getting the ball back with 4:28 left to play.

“He came in and felt like he had something to prove,” Johnson said. “He played real well when he came in and took over where Kenny left off. He was able to get the win for us. Nothing changed. We were making plays for him down the field.”