The Pittsburgh Steelers made another notable move ahead of the roster cutdown deadline, sending running back Kaleb Johnson to the Green Bay Packers less than 24 hours after dealing former first-round pick Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys in a mid-round pick swap.
Johnson broke the news himself on Instagram, and the trade brings a quiet end to a stint in Pittsburgh that never really took off for the former third-round pick.
The move also puts the Steelers’ recent third-round track record back under the microscope. In consecutive drafts, Pittsburgh selected Roman Wilson and Johnson, and neither player has become an essential part of the roster. The hope now is that this year’s third-round group can do better.
Johnson did get chances to make his case, but he never turned them into a secure role. In the second preseason game, he handled 10 carries and was unable to separate himself, looking like a pedestrian version of a starting running back. By the final preseason game, he was reduced to only a handful of touches and spent the back end of the second half on the field.
For Johnson, it’s a disappointing finish after arriving in the NFL and in Pittsburgh with plenty of promise.
The trade also points to a bigger role for Travis Homer. He is expected to be a key piece on both punt and kicking teams, while also serving as a change-of-pace option behind Dowdle and Warren.
That versatility matters for McCarthy, who needs a third running back capable of contributing in multiple spots. Homer is not going to see 10 carries a game or handle the ball often on offense, but he can still matter as the punter’s personal protector and as a blocker on punt and kick returns, helping lift the special teams into better shape.
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Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener now find themselves with a clearer path as Pittsburgh sorts out the back end of its roster. The open spot created by Roberts release adds another layer to a competition that already had plenty of intrigue, and it leaves the Steelers with one less established name in the mix as they finalize the defense. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Rookie Is Forcing A Real Aaron Rodgers Debate
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What has made Bernard stand out even more is the way he has already earned the confidence of teammates and coaches, which matters in an offense led by Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers are not handing out snaps just because a rookie looks promising in August, but Bernard has clearly put himself in the mix for playing time, and that alone makes his role worth watching as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Linebacker Shakeup Says A Lot About This Final Roster Spot
The Steelers made a quiet but telling change in their linebacker room, signing veteran Elandon Roberts to a one-year deal and moving on from Malik Harrison. On the surface, it adds another experienced body to a group that already includes Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and rookie Carson Bruener, but it also sharpens the competition around the edges of the roster. With Cole Holcomb in the mix as well, Pittsburgh suddenly has more depth and more age at inside linebacker than it did a short time ago.
What makes the move notable is how much special teams work appears to matter in sorting out the final spot. The Steelers are not just weighing who can play inside linebacker in a pinch, but who can help on kick units and give the coaching staff dependable weekly value. Roberts brings that kind of profile, and Bruener remains part of the conversation too, which means the room is set up for a real test as the team decides how much versatility it wants to keep when the roster tightens. [Read more 🡒]