Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson is hoping a fresh start with a new team will go much smoother than his experience in the 2024 campaign. Last season, Johnson played for three teams, first with the Carolina Panthers, who acquired him in the offseason via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After eight games with the Panthers, Johnson let his frustration with his role show, leading to Carolina’s decision to move him to the Baltimore Ravens.
However, Johnson also didn’t find happiness in Baltimore, and it reached a point where he even declined to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. For his actions, the Ravens slapped with a suspension before getting released.
Apparently, the weather played a role in Johnson’s decision not to stay on the sidelines despite being asked to go onto the field.
“I wasn’t getting into no run plays, no passing plays or nothing. It was cold,” Johnson said during a recent appearance on the “Sports and Suits” podcast (h/t Aaron Becker of Steelers Now).
“End of the third going into the fourth, they were like, ‘Tae, we need you.’ I was like, ‘Nah, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me.’ Like, my legs are already ice cold and I didn’t wanna go out there and put bad stuff on film. 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.”
Fans react to Cleveland Browns new WR’s admission
WR Diontae Johnson just admitted he refused to enter a game in 41° weather last year in Baltimore because he felt “ice cold” 🥶
its a good thing he’s playing this year in…
<checks notes>
CLEVELAND 😭 pic.twitter.com/sE11z4yYTh
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 24, 2025
As expected, the internet did not go nicely on Johnson.
“Then warm up on the sidelines lmfao. You are a PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE!?!?”
“She he didn’t want to play in *checks notes*FOOTBALL WEATHER”
“It wasn’t because of the weather, he was obvs just pissed they weren’t playing him so he didn’t go in to spite them. Same kinda thing as Devers not playing 1B for the Red Sox but will for the Giants.”
“seems like something you should keep to yourself”
“Crazy level of entitlement”
“Clearly not very bright to even share this. And that doesn’t address the lack of heart.”
For More NFL and College Football News & Updates:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @Rexwell14. Also, do not forget to regularly check out the latest Gridiron Heroics content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of NFL and college football in terms of transactions, analysis, game previews, free agency, recruitment, transfers, and more, just click here!
