Tim Benz: Donte Jackson, other Steelers welcome Diontae Johnson's return to AFC North in Baltimore

Former Pittsburgh Steeler Diontae Johnson only saw 13 snaps in his debut with the Baltimore Ravens and was not targeted that day.

That was the plan for Baltimore's Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos, a contest the Ravens (6-3) won 41-10. The Ravens coaching staff wanted to get Johnson up to speed before fully integrating him into the offense after acquiring the 28-year-old from the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday.

So See how much knowledge they can cram into Johnson's head leading up to Thursday night's AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals before he returns to Acrisure Stadium to play the Steelers on November 17th.

Before the team left its practice facility for the bye week on Wednesday, Steelers players acknowledged the trade but didn't commit to it. That even applies to cornerback Donte Jackson, who Pittsburgh got from Carolina in March in exchange for Johnson.

Actually, Jackson welcomes the news.

“It's great. It's a competitive game. I am a corner. He is a receiver. We’re getting competitive,” Jackson said. “I'm excited about it. I'm sure it's him. But I don't really try to make too much of it. We have other opponents before that (Washington on Sunday).”

Jackson even went so far as to suggest that he was happy for Johnson.

“It's cool to see him come back to a department he is familiar with. It's great for the gamegreat for this competitive department,” Jackson continued.

While Jackson is downplaying the issue two weeks before the game begins, Johnson's presence in the purple and black will certainly add spice what is it? a heated rivalry. It's one that will simmer all the way until week 11 before the first installment in 2024.

“These are always the games you live for. Particularly in our division, playing in the AFC North. “These games will be high intensity as always,” linebacker Alex Highsmith said.

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If Joey Porter Jr. is assigned to the other team's top receiver, as is usually the case, that likely means he'll see a lot of Baltimore's Zay Flowers. Flowers is Baltimore's top target for quarterback Lamar Jackson. He Only Had a great game on Sunday with five catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns against the Broncos.

So it could be that Jackson is locked in against Johnson quite a lot when the teams meet twice in the final nine weeks of the season. Or if Johnson works a lot out of the slot, a combination of Cam Sutton and Beanie Bishop could be responsible for keeping Johnson quiet.

“It amplifies things tremendously,” Porter said of Johnson’s arrival in Baltimore. “He went to their team, just like we have (former Baltimore linebacker) Patrick Queen on our team. It will be interesting. It will be cheered on. I know we will be prepared just like they were.”

Jackson, for his part, was a significant improvement for the Steelers at the cornerback position over Joey Porter Jr. The seventh-year pro already has three interceptions and despite one hard game against the New York Giants last Monday night largely was an asset to the cover.

The Steelers' inability to replace Johnson at the receiver position is a whole different story. But that's not Jackson's fault. That’s because of general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin when it comes to that their inability to properly scout, draft, trade or sign better pass catchers than Calvin Austin or Van Jefferson as George Pickens' No. 2 options for this year.

Not to mention the depth at the position should Pickens ever get injured. However, Jefferson and Austin have at least started to make a bigger impact since Russell Wilson stepped in at quarterback two weeks ago.

It is It's clear that the Steelers have already won the Jackson-Johnson trade with the Panthers, as Johnson barely stayed in Carolina for half a season. Will the addition of Jackson make up for the absence? have a true No. 2 receiver from one Any scope to call it a win for the Steelers themselves if one isn't acquired by Tuesday's trade deadline?

So far I would argue that this is the case.

However, with Johnson in the division and two more head-to-head matchups coming up, there is still plenty of potential to change that opinion.