Kaleb Johnson’s standing in Pittsburgh has changed fast, and not in a good way. A third-round pick just one year ago, he now heads into the final stretch of roster decisions with his future suddenly hanging in the balance. After a rookie season that went badly and a training camp and preseason that did little to calm concerns, Johnson has one last chance to prove he belongs.
If he doesn’t, the Steelers could be forced to decide whether to cut him or try to move him. And because Johnson was once viewed as a highly sought-after prospect during the 2025 NFL Draft, there would likely be teams willing to call if Pittsburgh puts him on the market.
The Jacksonville Jaguars make sense as one possible landing spot. With Travis Etienne gone in free agency, their running back room is full of question marks. Johnson wouldn’t solve everything on his own, but he could help strengthen the group and fit into a tandem role that gives the offense a lift.
The San Francisco 49ers are another team that could take a look. Christian McCaffrey gives them a strong option when healthy, but the problem is obvious: he often gets injured, and the rest of the depth chart is dealing with bumps and bruises too. Johnson could give San Francisco some needed insurance, while also giving Pittsburgh something back for a player who might otherwise be a roster cut.
The Las Vegas Raiders also fit the profile. Ashton Jeanty is the clear headliner there, but a practice near-injury scare showed why the team may want more help behind him.
Johnson wouldn’t be Jeanty, but he could be a useful backup. With a young quarterback already on the roster, the Raiders could look to load up on as many offensive weapons as possible.
Dallas is another possibility. The Cowboys may have one of the NFL’s strongest offensive groups overall, but running back remains one of the softer spots.
They have shown they’re willing to make trades, and Johnson could be the next player they target. Pairing him with Javonte Williams would give them a backfield with more juice.
Then there’s Houston. The Texans bounced the Steelers from the playoffs, but they still fell short of their own Super Bowl goals.
CJ Stroud didn’t make the leap many expected, and a stronger run game could help ease that burden. With Woody Marks and David Montgomery already forming a solid duo, Houston could explore turning that into a three-man rotation by adding Johnson through a trade.
In Other News...
Steelers Face A Risky QB Decision Before Cuts Begin
Ben Roethlisberger has entered the quarterback conversation in Pittsburgh, and his stance is pretty clear: the Steelers should keep both Will Howard and Drew Allar on the roster instead of trying to sneak either one onto the practice squad. It is the kind of roster debate that tends to sharpen this time of year, especially with final cuts looming and the team still sorting through what it wants behind Aaron Rodgers.
Howard and Allar have each shown flashes this preseason, but neither has put together a flawless run, which leaves the Steelers weighing upside against the realities of roster math. The decision comes after the final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, and while neither quarterback is viewed as someone who will be starting anytime soon, the depth chart could look a lot different if Rodgers ever has to miss time. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Linked To Costly Answer For A Major Secondary Need
The Giants have been floated as a possible solution for a secondary that needs help, with Bleacher Reports Alex Kay laying out a trade idea that would send 2027 second- and sixth-round picks to Pittsburgh in exchange for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. It is the kind of proposal that speaks to both teams priorities: New York looking for a long-term upgrade on the back end, and the Steelers weighing the value of a young defender who has already established himself as part of the future.
Porter is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is seeking an extension, which makes any conversation around his future more complicated than a simple draft-pick swap. For Pittsburgh, the question is not just what Porter is worth in the market, but whether a deal like this would even be worth considering if the cornerbacks next contract is not already lined up. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Tomlin Could Soon Be Back In The AFC Spotlight
Mike Tomlins name has a way of surfacing whenever an NFL franchise starts looking for a cleaner, bigger answer at coach, and now the Jets are the latest team linked to him. According to Jason La Canfora, New York is expected to pursue the former Steelers head coach in its next hiring cycle, with owner Woody Johnson said to be open to stepping away from his usual preference for first-time coaches if the job opens up.
For Steelers fans, the more interesting part is the company Tomlin is being mentioned with. There is already speculation tying the Jets and Tomlin to Lamar Jackson, who is expected to seek a trade in 2027 if contract uncertainty lingers, which only adds to the sense that New York could be preparing for a much larger reset. For now, it is still a rumor trail more than a finished plan, but it is the kind that keeps Tomlin in the AFC conversation long after the season ends. [Read more 🡒]