Kaleb Johnson had a rookie season to forget with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Iowa product might not have a chance to salvage his career with the team that drafted him. Selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Johnson was supposed to be one of the better running backs in a class loaded with talent at the position. Joining a wide-open depth chart headlined by career backup Jaylen Warren and journeyman Kenneth Gainwell, the rookie had the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a Day 1 starter.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Despite the opportunity, Kaleb Johnson saw little playing time as a rookie and looked lost in his limited action. Appearing in 10 games without making a start, the running back finished the season with just 69 yards on 28 attempts (2.5 yards per attempt) and no touchdowns. He also had one of the biggest gaffes of the season when he misplayed a kick return and essentially gave the Seattle Seahawks a free touchdown.
Steelers Could Trade Kaleb Johnson; 3 Suitors Emerge
With Mike Tomlin stepping down as the team’s head coach, Kaleb Johnson had a chance to salvage his career with a new coaching staff. While a lot can happen between now and the start of the regular season, that doesn’t appear likely. Steelers beat reporter Brooke Pryor left him off her 53-man roster projection, which does not bode well for his future.
No matter how disappointing he’s been, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers cutting Kaleb Johnson after just one season. However, they could be willing to trade him. Even if it’s just for a conditional late-round pick, the following three teams could make a move for his services.
