Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back, Kaleb Johnson got a brutal welcome to the NFL moment during Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. The blunder unfortunately did play a big factor in the loss, but as always, it wasn’t the only reason the Steelers lost. There were plenty of other variables, and the Steelers weren’t going to win that game with the way the defense played down the stretch. Johnson’s mistake came when he touched the ball on a kickoff and it rolled into the end zone. Instead of trying to secure it, he casually walked off the field, giving the Seahawks special teams unit a golden opportunity. They pounced on the ball for an easy touchdown, completely flipping the momentum of the game.
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Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20) runs on the field with a football as the team works out in front of fans during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
For a rookie, it was the kind of nightmare scenario you hope never happens on the big stage. Special teams plays often go overlooked until something like this occurs, and in Johnson’s case, it will likely be replayed and dissected by fans and analysts for weeks. What made the mistake even more painful for the Steelers was that it came in a game where they had been hanging around despite defensive lapses. The Seahawks took full advantage of the error, and Pittsburgh was never able to fully recover from the momentum shift.
After the game, former Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell didn’t hold back. He sent a strong message to Johnson, urging him to learn from the mistake and emphasizing how crucial focus and awareness are in the NFL. Bell’s words carried weight, as he’s been through his share of ups and downs in Pittsburgh and knows how costly a single play can be.
"People are quick to wish the worst for players," Bell shared to his social media on Monday. "Kaleb Johnson will bounce back. He’s just a rookie. This is a week for the Steelers that may refocus them and make them better from here."
Bell’s message wasn’t just for Johnson, but also for the fan base. Steelers fans are passionate and considered the greatest in the world by many. However, every loss hits hard and affects both Steel City and its fans. Bell is reminding them that this loss can ultimately make the Steelers better. Ryan Clark shared a similar sentiment before the Week 1 game against the New York Jets, and Pittsburgh went on to win that contest. Now the Steelers are 1-1 in the 2025 season and will look to get back on track on the road against the New England Patriots in Week 3.
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Steelers' Kaleb Johnson speaking to the media after a tough moment early in his 2025 rookie season.
For Johnson, this moment could either define him negatively or serve as the wake-up call that pushes him to grow and refine his game. The Steelers will hope it’s the latter, as the season is long and mistakes can be overcome. Johnson answered the questions the right way. He didn’t hide from the media and he didn’t make any excuses.
Steelers Fans Should Give Rookie Kaleb Johnson A Lot Of Grace
He admitted his mistake and vowed to learn from it. Rookies deserve grace, and honestly, many Steelers fans might direct more criticism toward the coaching staff. Johnson had returned just two kickoffs at Iowa over the past two years.
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Steelers running backs Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson stand side by side one another during a training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
It wasn’t something he had done recently, and it seems odd that this was the route Danny Smith and Mike Tomlin chose to utilize him. Either way, Bell’s message rings true. Mistakes happen for rookies, and how they bounce back will define them. All eyes are on Johnson now.
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