Steelers' Mike Tomlin Gives Critical Advice To 1 Important Rookie

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Iowa product will be asked to carry the football frequently as a rookie, and many pundits believe he has the talent to produce effectively in his first season. Steeler Nation was eager to watch Johnson’s NFL debut in the preseason outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, anticipating a glimpse of what he could bring to the Steelers’ backfield.

In his first action, Johnson carried the football eight times for 20 rushing yards and added one catch for six receiving yards. While the stat line wasn’t eye-popping, preseason games often serve as a chance for young players to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL rather than deliver standout numbers immediately. Fans were still able to see flashes of Johnson’s vision and physicality as he navigated through the Jaguars’ defense, providing hope for what’s ahead.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that he isn’t evaluating Johnson solely by the box score. Speaking to the Pittsburgh media on Thursday, Tomlin shared a message for the rookie running back, highlighting areas where he would like to see improvement. The coach emphasized patience and consistency, noting that Johnson’s development in technique, decision-making, and understanding of the offense will be just as important as production in games.

"I just want to see him trust himself more," Tomlin said when speaking to the media about the rookie running back Kaleb Johnson. "I want to see him play more instinctively, trust his talents. And that’s reasonable to expect between the first experience and the second experience."

The Steelers' offense is aiming to return to a dominant, physical ground and pound approach, a style Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith has long emphasized and one that clearly aligns with what Tomlin wants to see. Pittsburgh’s rushing attack struggled in the 2024 season, prompting the team to move on from running back Najee Harris, their former first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, who departed in free agency.

Now the Steelers are moving forward with veteran backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, while Johnson will also be expected to shoulder significant responsibilities in the backfield in his first year in the league. Many pundits believe Johnson has the talent to eventually take carries away from Warren, making the rookie’s development a key storyline for the team in 2025.

It will be especially interesting to see how Smith and Tomlin divvy up the workload among this group. Balancing the veteran experience of Warren and Gainwell with Johnson’s fresh talent could define the Steelers’ running game and determine whether Pittsburgh can reestablish the bruising and effective rushing attack it has long been known for.

Steelers' Kaleb Johnson Confident He Will Thrive As A Rookie

While some Steelers fans were quick to take to social media and voice their concerns about Johnson’s 2.5 yards per carry in the preseason game against Jacksonville, others pointed out that the eye test looked a little better. Tomlin wants to see Johnson begin to trust himself more on the field.

Tomlin went easier on Johnson during the Jaguars game since it was just his first NFL outing. Now, heading into the second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tomlin believes it is fair to expect improvements from his rookie running back. Johnson is confident he will rush for more than 1,000 yards in his first season, so Tomlin’s high expectations are nothing new for the rookie.

What did you think about Johnson's first preseason game against the Jaguars? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and toss a follow.

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