NFL insider reveals why Diontae Johnson isn't going anywhere

The Diontae Johnson saga in Baltimore has taken twists and turns no one saw coming. From being benched without explanation to earning a suspension for refusing to play against the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson’s time with the Ravens has been defined more by drama than production.

Naturally, fans have started to wonder if the team might just cut their losses and release the wide receiver outright.

It would almost make sense. Johnson has just one catch for six yards since joining the Ravens and hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the coaching staff. The suspension only added fuel to the fire, with many believing it signaled the beginning of the end for Johnson in Baltimore. But according to NFL insider Mike Florio, Ravens fans shouldn’t hold their breath for a release.

If Johnson thought his actions would lead to a quick exit, he underestimated how the Ravens operate. Baltimore has a reputation for being patient and calculated, especially when it comes to maximizing long-term value. Cutting ties with Johnson might feel satisfying at the moment, but it would be a decision completely out of character for a front office that thrives on the long game.

The Baltimore Ravens have negative reasons to cut ties with Diontae Johnson

Here’s the thing. Letting Johnson go now would cost the Ravens more than just cap space or roster flexibility. It would cost them a valuable compensatory pick. As Florio pointed out, Baltimore is a master of the compensatory draft-pick system, and they aren’t about to give that up lightly.

Johnson is in the final year of his contract. If the Ravens keep him through the end of the season and he signs elsewhere as a free agent, his departure will count toward Baltimore’s 2026 compensatory picks. By cutting him now, the Ravens would essentially forfeit a chance to recoup the fifth-round pick they gave up to get him in the first place. For a team as draft-savvy as Baltimore, that’s a price they aren’t willing to pay.

This approach is classic Ravens. It’s frustrating for fans and teammates who want to see immediate action, but makes perfect sense from a front-office perspective. Johnson’s refusal to play was undoubtedly a bad look, but the Ravens are more interested in playing the long game than making emotional decisions.

So, while it might seem tempting to part ways with Johnson after everything that’s happened, don’t expect Baltimore to budge. Cutting him now would only hurt the team, and if there’s one thing Ravens fans know, it’s that this organization doesn’t hurt itself unnecessarily. Johnson may be a problem for the moment, but the Ravens will find a way to make the most of a bad situation. As always, they’re thinking a few moves ahead.

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