When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, many expected him to play a vital role in the offense behind Jaylen Warren. Instead, veteran Kenneth Gainwell became a focal point, earning team MVP after a tremendous season, while Johnson’s season was defined by a Week 2 special teams gaffe that cost the Steelers a win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson finished the year with just 69 yards on 28 carries. Needless to say, that’s
not what Pittsburgh had in mind when they took him out of Iowa. General manager Omar Khan was asked about Johnson’s performance, noting that it was a disappointing rookie year.
“Obviously, what you guys saw on the field was disappointing,” Khan said via Nick Farabaugh. “It’s got to be better, but we see it on the practice field. We knew what he did in college, and I’d expect Kaleb to turn the corner.”
The jury is still out on Johnson, as he is only entering his second season. Should the Steelers be unable to bring Gainwell back, Johnson would likely jump to the No. 2 spot and be given the chance to prove he is a capable back.
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