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Chiefs' Playoff Opponent Just Made Big Release Before Divisional Round Game

By Joe Summers

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reacts to an officials penalty on the Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reacts to an officials penalty on the Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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The Chiefs square off with the Texans on Saturday for the Divisional Round of the playoffs and Houston just made a surprise release ahead of the massive game.

WR Diontae Johnson, whom fans in Kansas City widely wanted to acquire before the DeAndre Hopkins deal, was cut on Tuesday. He's now looking for his fifth team in the calendar year, a drastic fall from grace for the former All-Pro.

Thankfully, the Chiefs let teams like the Ravens and Texans make the mistake of signing Johnson. He clearly wouldn't have been a fit with Andy Reid and the offense, merely the latest example that the organization knows what's best a bit more than fans do.

Texans Release WR Diontae Johnson Right Before Chiefs Divisional Round Matchup

The 28-year-old began the season as the de facto No. 1 option for the Panthers' passing attack. He was on fire early, notching 205 combined receiving yards and two TDs in Weeks 3 and 4, yet quickly wore out his welcome in Carolina.

After being traded to the Ravens, Johnson had one catch over four weeks while dealing with off-field issues that led to his release. He appeared in two games for the Texans, including the victory over the Chargers, catching three passes for 24 yards.

Meanwhile, Hopkins has become a reliable third-down option who should see an increased role in the postseason now that Kansas City isn't incentivized to limit his snaps. Johnson is talented enough to earn another opportunity, though he's lost himself a significant amount of money and respect for his actions.

This doesn't seem to be a winning player. His body language and immature sideline antics led to his repeated releases, though this is a guy who notched 1,161 receiving yards in 2021. With his route-running ability and strong hands, Johnson should find another chance somewhere in the NFL.

It likely won't be with the Chiefs though, who clearly made the right decision not to take a chance on someone with as many glaring red flags as Johnson has.

Kansas City is a 7.5-point favorite over Houston at FanDuel Sportsbook with +350 odds to win the Super Bowl, indicating Saturday could be the start of a special few weeks in the Kingdom.

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