Kaleb Johnson finally got his moment in Green Bay, and he used it to fire a subtle shot back at Aaron Rodgers.
The former Steelers running back delivered the best game of his young career after Packers starter Josh Jacobs left Week 9 with an injury. Johnson answered with 68 rushing yards on 14 carries and his first NFL touchdown, a breakthrough performance that gave him a real chance to show what he can do.
Afterward, he made it clear where he stands on the quarterbacks he’s played with. According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, Johnson said, “I’ve had two good quarterbacks, Aaron and him, but I like Jordan better.”
That comment lands with a little extra bite because of how Johnson’s Pittsburgh run ended. The Steelers moved on from the former third-round pick before the regular season started after an underwhelming training camp and preseason. They later sent him to the Packers for a draft pick, closing the book on a stint that never really got going.
Johnson’s time in Pittsburgh never matched the promise that came with his draft status. In 10 games as a rookie, he carried 28 times for 69 yards, averaging 2.5 yards per carry. His longest run went for nine yards.
The low point came early in his rookie year, when he was used as a kick returner and fumbled an attempt. That mistake effectively ended his 2025 campaign, and from there he spent most of his time on the bench or inactive on game day.
Even as Johnson has found a little traction in Green Bay, the Steelers’ backfield has moved on without him. Jaylen Warren has taken over and turned into one of the league’s most productive runners this season, topping 100 yards from scrimmage in five of the last six games and piling up 704 total rushing yards through eight games.
Heading into the 2025 season, there was a belief Johnson might eventually pass Warren as Pittsburgh’s lead back. One year later, that idea is long gone.
In Other News...
Steelers Formula Faces Its Biggest Test Yet In Cincinnati
The Steelers have spent the first half of the season leaning on the same formula that has carried them into November: a strong running game, a defense that keeps games in front of them and enough discipline to survive tight spots. Now comes the kind of road test that can tell you how real it is. Pittsburgh heads to Cincinnati in Week 10 with both teams sitting at 6-2 and riding four-game winning streaks, and first place in the AFC North is on the line.
Cincinnati brings a different kind of stress, one built around Joe Burrow and a receiving group that can change a game quickly if the Steelers secondary slips. The injury reports and weather forecast will matter, but so will the larger picture around how Pittsburgh handles a division opponent that has the same record and plenty of incentive to make this a statement game. Add in the backdrop of the trade deadline and the Steelers choices there, and this feels like more than just another November matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Just Sent A Clear Message About Germie Bernard
The Steelers made a clear call on the receiver market by passing on Josh Downs when the Chiefs stepped in with a trade offer that sent him to Kansas City for future draft picks. Pittsburgh apparently decided the asking price was too steep, with the move likely requiring a third-round pick, and instead chose to stay put rather than chase another veteran addition.
That decision leaves Germie Bernard in a far more important spot for the offense than anyone might have expected a few weeks ago. The rookie has been a steady contributor since Week 5 and is now positioned to keep playing a significant role moving forward, even as the Steelers wait for other pass-catching options to work their way back into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Former Steelers LB Reopens A Frustrating Ryan Shazier-Era Memory
When the Steelers drafted Ryan Shazier in 2014, it changed the shape of their linebacker room almost immediately, and Vince Williams felt the ripple effect. Williams later saw his playing time shrink after Shazier arrived, even though he would go on to carve out a bigger role on defense, earn a contract extension and remain a valuable part of the unit before retiring in 2021.
Now, years later, Williams has reopened one of the more frustrating memories from that stretch by revealing how he reacted to the move at the time. It is another reminder of how quickly the Steelers depth chart shifted under Kevin Colbert, whose long run as general manager included plenty of notable roster decisions and trades, some easier to celebrate in hindsight than others. [Read more 🡒]