Uncertain Offseason for Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason has raised eyebrows, especially due to lingering questions at quarterback and limited improvements on offense.
While there may be hope that Aaron Rodgers finds his way to Pittsburgh and while DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth offer promise in the passing game, it might actually be a lesser-known addition who becomes the most impactful offensive weapon.
Why Kaleb Johnson Could Ignite the Steelers Offense
ESPN’s Matt Bowen highlighted running back Kaleb Johnson as one of the “perfect fits” among incoming rookies in the NFL Draft, specifically within the Steelers’ offensive scheme.
“Johnson is at his best in the outside zone game,” Bowen writes for ESPN, “a foundational part of coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense. He presses the edges and is good at finding cutback lanes to get north-south with the ball.”
“At 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, he can also push through arm tackles for explosive plays. Johnson had 21 rushes of 20 or more yards in 2024, which was the second most nationally behind Ashton Jeanty. He’ll share the backfield with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, but he could emerge as the early-down runner. In the pass game, Johnson will see targets on screens and swings.”
Johnson’s College Production and NFL Potential
Standing six feet tall and weighing 224 pounds, Johnson, the former Iowa standout, compiled 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, while averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry.
There is a strong chance that combining Johnson’s explosiveness in a zone-based system with Jaylen Warren’s versatility could create a backfield duo reminiscent of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit.
As the Steelers work through an unsettled quarterback situation, Johnson could quickly evolve into not only a focal point of the 2025 offense but also a foundational piece for years to come.
