Steelers Head Coach Is Giving the 2024 Big Ten Running Back of the Year a Chance at a Fresh Start

The Pittsburgh Steelers' current running back room consists of incredible playmakers in Jaylen Warren and recently signed Rico Dowdle. Both running backs are coming off career years and are still in the prime of their NFL careers, both being 27-years-old. The Steelers also have second-year running back Kaleb Johnson, who was taken by the Steelers in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The 2024 Big Ten Running Back of the Year came into Pittsburgh with high expectations for himself, which were shared by many fans. After putting up 1,537 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in his final season at Iowa, speed remained the only concern for Johnson, as the six-foot-one, 224-pound tailback came in to work as a two-headed powerhouse backfield with Warren. These expectations fell through, as Johnson would record only 28 carries for 69 rushing yards in his rookie season, while making repeated mistakes on special teams, effectively costing him his job. While Warren improved and recorded a phenomenal season with 958 rushing yards and 333 receiving yards, it was former Super Bowl Champion running back Kenneth Gainwell who really took over for the Steelers, as he was named their 2025 Team MVP. Despite a lack of production in any facet in his rookie season, the Steelers' new head coach, Mike McCarthy, believes Johnson deserves a fresh start in 2026.

McCarthy was quoted as saying that Johnson’s situation is “Like a Catholic operation. You say three Hail Marys, the priest has blessed you, and everybody’s got a clean slate.” The former Super Bowl-winning head coach is obviously acknowledging Johnson’s reduced role and lack of production with the 2025 Steelers and sees this as a perfect opportunity for him to reclaim his name in 2026. The Steelers have not had great success in recent drafts with their third-round pick. In 2024, they selected Roman Wilson with the 84th overall selection; Wilson has recorded just 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns through two seasons with Pittsburgh, while Johnson, as mentioned, has also fallen short of what Steelers fans had hoped for. With the signing of running back and special teamer Travis Homer, Johnson’s role within the offense and special teams has been reduced. McCarthy spoke more on Johnson’s special teams mistakes, saying, “I understood what happened with him on special teams, but he’s a young man. Look at his draft value. I’m going to challenge him to be a three-down player and a special teamer. All of that is part of being a young running back.” According to the 62-year-old head coach, Johnson’s door to success with the Steelers is wide open. 

For a long time, the Steelers shied away from using a running back committee, as they had three-time Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell in command of their rushing attack until 2017. For a few years, the Steelers then struggled at running back, with players such as James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, and Benny Snell all having mixed roles within the team. None of them ever truly got their feet with Pittsburgh, and when the Steelers drafted Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, it seemed as if a return to a workhorse running back was coming for Pittsburgh. However, this would really only hold true for Harris’ first season, where he led the league with 381 total touches. In 2022, the Steelers signed Warren, who was an undrafted free agent, and he instantly made an impact with the Steelers, taking touches away from Harris and solidifying a committee of running backs in Pittsburgh. After Harris joined the Chargers in free agency ahead of the 2025 season, Warren became the starter, and yet the Steelers knew that a running back committee was the new way to go for them. Whether it was Warren and Gainwell a season ago, or Warren and Dowdle this season, Pittsburgh knows who their one-A and one-B running backs are. However, McCarthy believes Johnson still has a valuable role on this team, and I believe that he serves as the best third running back Pittsburgh has had in a long time.