Steelers' Kaleb Johnson Receives A Punishment From Mike Tomlin: "He's Got To Earn Himself Back"

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The promising rookie has struggled to begin his NFL career as he was credited with just a single yard on one carry during Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Johnson also made a massive mental error on a kick return in the fourth quarter that resulted in a game altering touchdown, as the rookie will need to be much more careful moving forward.

Johnson's mental blunder came when the ball bounced through his hands on a kickoff, resulting in the Seahawks jumping on a live ball in the back of the end zone. It seemed as though Johnson never realized the ball was still in play after he made contact it, as the rookie started jogging off the field instead of making an attempt to jump on the live ball. Head Coach Mike Tomlin took a moment to speak about Johnson's error with the media earlier on Tuesday, where the long-time head coach claims the rookie will probably not be the return man in the near future.

Tomlin said Johnson will get an opportunity to prove himself again at some point, but when that will be remains unknown at this time.

"Probably not in the short term," Tomlin stated. "I'm certainly going to give him an opportunity to work his way back from that error. I believe in his talent, he's a sharp young man and a hard worker. So you leave the light on for him to give him an opportunity to move on from it, but he has to do that. He has to display that with his daily work, and he's got to earn himself back in a position to be a participant."

Tomlin continued to mention that Johnson could get another opportunity this season depending on where the road leads them.

"So we'll see where the roads lead us. I'm open to it, certainly," Tomlin explained.

Johnson was an elite running back in college at Iowa. The promising rookie began the season as the running back three (RB3) behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, and his role in the future remains unknown. Johnson will get his next opportunity this Sunday against a talented New England Patriots defense where the first-year player will look to prove himself as a legitimate weapon in the Steelers' backfield.

The transition from the college level to the NFL can be extremely difficult. Johnson's slow start to the season could be very frustrating for a rookie as it will be crucial that the young running back remains focused amid his early season struggles. Both Warren and Gainwell may continue to receive the majority of the reps in the Steelers' backfield for now, as Johnson will look to get his rookie campaign back on track.

Steelers' Kaleb Johnson May See Limited Reps At Running Back For The Time Being

Johnson currently has a total of two carries on the season for negative one yards, as he could continue seeing an extremely limited amount of reps amid his early season issues. Johnson will have to prove himself to earn more reps in the Steelers' backfield as the weeks go on. He could instantly change the narrative surrounding his name with a big game, but that is still to be determined when/if it happens. The rookie could find himself with a limited amount of playing time on Sunday again against the Patriots, but Johnson will have to prove himself with the opportunities he is given.

Johnson's mental error from Sunday is absolutely unacceptable and can never happen again. Tomlin's comments surrounding the rookie are promising to hear however, as Johnson is expected to get another opportunity to return kicks at a later point down the road. The Steelers will be on the road in New England to face the Patriots on Sunday where Johnson will look to have a bounce back performance.

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