Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers need big-money players to make big plays

In Dan Jenkins’ acclaimed football novel, “Semi-Tough,” a character named Dreamer Tatum proclaims thusly after a narrow defeat: “I learned somethin’ a long time ago about football. What could have happened, did.”

Words to live by.

If Cameron Sutton didn’t drop an interception or Gunner Olszewski didn’t muff a punt against New England, the Steelers might have beat the Patriots. If Diontae Johnson didn’t drop a third-quarter pass at Cleveland, the Steelers could have defeated the Browns.

The Steelers could be 3-0.

But if Cincinnati’s long snapper didn’t get hurt, the Steelers would be 0-3.

What could have happened, did.

Johnson’s drop at Cleveland is big-time frustrating.

The Browns had marched 70 yards in 14 plays on their first possession of the second half, finishing with a field goal to take a 16-14 lead. After the kickoff, the Steelers had third-and-3 at their own 32. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw deep left. Johnson dropped the pass. Instead of threatening in Cleveland territory, the Steelers sent their defense right back on the field.

That drop hurt the Steelers badly.

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Johnson signed a two-year contract extension during the offseason: Two years, $36.7 million with $27 million guaranteed. You paid Johnson to make that catch.

Ultimately, Johnson’s statistics will add up. But the Steelers lost that game.

You don’t pay athletes for stats. You pay them to win games.

The defense gets paid $108 million. It went to garbage as soon as T.J. Watt got hurt.

Johnson got his payday. But that was a key drop.

The Steelers have spent a ton to retain a lot of components from a team that hasn’t won a playoff game for five years and won’t play in one this season.