Steelers WR Diontae Johnson entered Week 18 just two catches short of one of the NFL’s least-desired records. With his two receptions in Pittsburgh’s season finale, he officially owns it.
Johnson had 86 catches in 2022, which is now the most catches in a season by a player without scoring a touchdown.
He passes former Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR James Wilder who had 85 catches without a receiving touchdown in 1984.
Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger gave his take on Johnson’s unlucky season.
“Blows my mind because the guy is so stinkin’ good,” Roethlisberger said on his “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast. “It was so apparent and obvious they were trying to get him the ball in the red zone when they were down on the goal line. He was wide open twice and the ball got tipped.”
The fourth-year wide receiver was targeted 10 times in Week 18 in hopes of finding the end zone. Johnson still had a solid season, however, playing in all 17 games and finishing with 882 receiving yards.
“I felt bad for Diontae,” Roethlisberger added. “Still, really good season. I know he’s frustrated.”
Johnson will now need to wait until next season to find pay dirt after having what was viewed by some as a disappointing season following his two-year, $37 million contract extension.
