When the Pittsburgh Steelers snagged Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the buzz was all about his potential to bolster the offense behind Jaylen Warren. But the script took an unexpected turn when veteran Kenneth Gainwell emerged as the star, clinching team MVP honors after a standout season. Meanwhile, Johnson's rookie year became memorable for a Week 2 special teams blunder that played a part in a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson wrapped up his first year with a mere 69 yards on 28 carries. Not exactly what the Steelers envisioned when they picked him from Iowa.
General Manager Omar Khan didn't mince words when addressing Johnson’s performance. "Obviously, what you guys saw on the field was disappointing," Khan said.
"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."
As Johnson heads into his second season, there's still hope. If the Steelers can't retain Gainwell, Johnson could find himself in the No. 2 spot, with a golden opportunity to prove he's got what it takes to be a reliable back.