Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson has already hit his first big bump in the NFL. On Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Johnson would no longer be returning kicks—for now. The question now is simple: if he isn’t handling special teams, will the Steelers even find a role for him?
Johnson, a third-round pick out of Iowa, has barely touched the football in Pittsburgh’s first two games. His offensive usage has been almost nonexistent—just two touches for negative yardage. On special teams, things haven’t gone much better.
In his debut, Johnson fumbled a kickoff return, though the Steelers recovered the ball and Tomlin left him in the game. But in Week 2, he misjudged a live ball after a strange bounce, letting it roll away untouched. Whether it was a lapse in awareness or a rookie mistake, it was costly enough to lose his job as return man.
Where Does Johnson Fit Now?
The real issue is this: if Johnson isn’t returning kicks, what will his role be? So far, the Steelers have leaned heavily on Kenneth Gainwell, while Jaylen Warren is steadily gaining more opportunities. With both of those backs ahead of him, Johnson could be left on the outside looking in.
Would Pittsburgh really dress him for only a handful of offensive snaps? Or will they turn instead to Trey Sermon, who at least offers a steadier veteran presence?
Tomlin made it clear Johnson has to earn his job back in practice. But when it comes to carving out offensive snaps, he hasn’t shown much yet. Early offseason predictions that he’d overtake the backfield by midseason already look far-fetched.
Too Soon to Write Him Off
Some fans are already calling for drastic measures, even suggesting Pittsburgh cut ties with Johnson. That kind of talk is way too premature. We’re only two games into his rookie season. Plenty of players take time to adjust, especially when asked to contribute both on offense and special teams.
That said, the Steelers can’t afford to put players on the field who aren’t ready. Johnson hasn’t proven he can consistently help the team yet, whether with the ball in his hands or in the return game. Perhaps the coaching staff will shift his focus entirely toward developing as a running back. Or maybe, for now, they’ll simply keep him sidelined until he proves he can be trusted.
What’s clear is that Johnson’s future in Pittsburgh is far from decided. He isn’t the answer at kick returner right now—but the Steelers still believe he can be more than what he’s shown. The real test begins in practice, where he’ll need to fight for every snap and every chance to prove he belongs.
