Steelers' Great Running Back Play Has Led To "No Clear Path" For 2025 Rookie

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had nothing but amazing things to say about the contributions of running back Kenneth Gainwell recently. The fact that he leads the team in receptions is arguably a problem, but it also shows how valuable he is to this offense. Of course, he is just the backup, and Jaylen Warren has continued to show what he is capable of -- that included a pair of 45-yard touchdown runs in the same quarter in Pittsburgh's Week 16 victory. Those two backs have been very reliable all season long. 

While Gainwell and Warren are thriving, a rookie is sitting back and being forgotten while waiting for his chance to shine. Kaleb Johnson has been sitting on the bench while waiting to be a regular contributor. Insider Brian Batko explained this situation in his latest Q&A Chat.

"That's certainly a subplot to this whole thing," Batko said. "As good as that duo has been, the Steelers burned a premium draft pick on a player with no clear path to contributing anytime soon, barring injury."

Third-round picks are not exactly seen as slam dunks, but teams usually expect players selected in that round to become quality starters at some point time. Even though it's just his rookie season, all hope seems lost for Johnson in 2025. Warren is running wild while Gainwell made a circus catch to make sure the world knows who he is in Week 16, and they will continue getting pretty much all the snaps at running back. 

Despite being the third string running back, Johnson has gotten a few snaps at the end of games to try and show what he can do, but it has not been enough. He was a healthy scratch for this latest Week 16 game, and there is no certainty that he gets a chance to play for the rest of the season. His disappointing rookie campaign may already be over. 

In Week 15, tight end Jonnu Smith scored on a toss sweep while lining up in the backfield in a successful attempt to confuse the defense, and he had another rushing attempt in Week 16. On top of that, Connor Heyward is the primary fullback, as well as the quarterback for the "Spartan" play. Two tight ends are trusted more with running the ball in key situations than Johnson, which is likely why he doesn't even get a helmet anymore on gamedays.

Steelers' 2026 Offseason Will Dictate Johnson's Future

While Gainwell has played excellent in 2025, he is a pending free agent. Maybe he would like to stick around in Pittsburgh, or maybe he wants to test the open market and see what kind of deals he can get in March. If he does leave, someone will have to come in and take over his spot. 

If that's the case, Johnson will likely be the primary backup to Warren. At the very least, he will get the chance to earn the RB2 job while competing in training camp with another veteran. He may be seen as a bruising back, but the former third-round pick does have lots of game speed, which is why he was on kickoff return duties before his big blunder in Week 2.

If Gainwell does stick around, however, there would likely be no path for Johnson. As Batko said, it would just be a premium draft pick burned. Gainwell and Warren would continue getting almost all of the snaps at running back. If that happens, the Steelers should trade Johnson so they can at least get something back for him and he can prove himself on another team.

What do you think about the Steelers burning a pick on Johnson? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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