Kaleb Johnson's Steelers Opportunity: A New Start

For the NFL, it's March 19th, and here's what's going on.

The Pittsburgh Steelers targeted running backs hard last off season, hosting nine top

prospects before grabbing Iowa's Caleb Johnson in the third.

Round, number 83 pick of the 2025 draft.

Johnson arrived right after the team lost Naji Harris to the Los Angeles Chargers in Free

Agency, while Jalen Warren signed a long-term extension.

He was primed to fight for carries in a wide zone scheme that fit his college style.

Early struggles hit hard, though, with shaky training cam reports and a modest preseason showing

of 94 yards on 24 carries plus some kick returns.

He saw just four offensive snaps over the first two games, but a special team's blunder

letting a kickoff bounce for a Seattle touchdown killed his momentum, leaving him with 69 yards

on 28 carries as Kenneth Gainwell stepped up.

Gainwell has since bolted to Tampa Bay on a two-year deal, so the Steelers countered by

signing Rico Doudal for two years to back-worn.

That puts the 22-year-old Johnson squarely as the number three option now.

A fresh start awaits under new head coach Mike McCarthy, and with Johnson's vision, patience,

and short yardage power from his Iowa days, he could.

Seize any openings to contribute this season.

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