The Steelers have been easing rookie running back Kaleb Johnson into the lineup, but as the
season heads into its toughest stretch, it might be time to give the young back a bigger role.
Pittsburgh will need every ounce of depth and physicality in its run game heading into
December and January.
With heavy matchups ahead — the Bills, the Lions, and two games against the Ravens — the
Steelers can’t rely on just one or two backs. Jaylen Warren has been solid, Kenneth Gainwell
has handled third-down duties, but adding a third strong option could give Pittsburgh’s offense a
real boost. And while Johnson hasn’t had enough carries yet to fully show what he can do, his
college résumé suggests he’s more than capable of helping.
Johnson came into the NFL without hype, but with the type of production and skill set that fits
perfectly with what Pittsburgh wants to be: physical, balanced, and hard to defend in cold-
weather games. Right now, he’s only getting 3–5 carries a game, not nearly enough to show
his full ability, but his time at Iowa paints a clear picture of the kind of runner he can become.
From his early days at Hamilton High School in Ohio to becoming one of Iowa’s most productive
backs ever, Johnson’s path has been defined by steady growth and big-time performances.
After breaking Iowa’s freshman rushing record with 779 yards in 2022, he erupted in 2024 with
one of the best seasons a Hawkeye has ever had: 1,537 yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, eight
100-yard games, and two 200-yard performances. He finished as a consensus top-three back in
the draft class.
His running style is tailor-made for AFC North football. Johnson presses the line with patience,
waits for blocks to develop, then explodes through the crease. For a 6 foot, 225-pound back, his
plant-and-go quickness is impressive, and his ability to fall forward turns short gains into
drive-sustaining runs. He breaks arm tackles, maintains balance in traffic, and had 21 runs of
20+ yards last season despite facing stacked boxes week after week. And he’s not just a power back. His 72-yard screen touchdown against Nebraska showed that he can be a weapon in the passing game too.
This is the type of runner Pittsburgh loves: downhill, physical, smart, and able to wear down
defenses. With Warren and Gainwell already carrying important roles, Johnson could become
the change-of-pace hammer that takes pressure off the offense, especially when defenses
start selling out to stop the run.
Johnson hasn’t gotten enough carries yet to prove anything in the NFL, and that’s
exactly why the Steelers should start working him in more. As the weather turns cold and the
schedule gets tougher, having a powerful, explosive back like Johnson ready to go could be a
major advantage. The Steelers drafted him for moments like these. Now it might be time to start
giving him the ball.