The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season. It wasn't a very pretty matchup for the team's home opener, as a 31-17 defeat worried a fan base that was riding high on a 1-0 start at the time. The simple score of the contest does not tell the whole story, however. With the NFC foe winning by a score of 17-14, a kickoff ended up going through the hands of then-rookie Kaleb Johnson. Instead of going to get the football, he let it go, allowing the Seahawks to recover it in the end zone for a touchdown.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
It is very safe to that that this landed the running back and return man in the doghouse. For the remainder of the year, he wasn't seen very often, especially due to the emergence of Team MVP Kenneth Gainwell. When the veteran decided to depart for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency, it was believed that Johnson would be in line to get another opportunity. Then, the Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan inked a deal with Rico Dowdle.
This has raised questions about what the new coaching staff may or may not think about Johnson. He was highly-touted and being selected in the third round is a very respectable achievement for a ball carrier. Despite this, he only rushed 28 times for 69 yards in 2025. Barring an injury, he may be relegated to a special teams role for the time being.
Ray Fittipaldo hosted a chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday and answered plenty of questions about the organization. With many wondering what the future holds for Johnson now that he appears to be at the bottom of the depth chart for the second straight season, the reporter made it clear that the 2025 third-round pick might not be held in high regard currently.
"Johnson has much to prove," Fittpaldo wrote. "RB is usually a position where rookies can step in and play well. He did not do that. The fact they got Dowdle to replace Gainwell speaks to their lack of confidence in him. It's up to him to change their minds."
Not only did Dowdle come to Pittsburgh, but he signed a two-year deal. That means that the franchise is counting on him and Jaylen Warren to lead the backfield through the 2027 season. There are not going to be many opportunities coming Johnson's way, which could prove to be detrimental to his development. As of now, it's not looking great for the former Iowa Hawkeye.
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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.
The running back position has always been one of opportunity in the NFL. Injuries or poor stretches of play from starters can often give a backup or third-string ball carrier the chance to prove himself. Johnson has a lot of ground to cover, with two formidable veterans standing in front of him on the depth chart. A coaching staff will never put someone on the field consistently if it has little confidence in him, and that appears to be Johnson's latest challenge.
Pittsburgh is going to have a completely revamped offensive philosophy with McCarthy running the show, and the veteran coach has typically relied on his receivers. Running the ball will be important, but it seems as if it will be nearly impossible for a third-string ball carrier to see significant action.
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Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Could Even Go After A Running Back In The 2026 NFL Draft
Nothing is off the table for Khan and co. due to the franchise having 12 overall selections in the upcoming NFL Draft. It's not likely that the team uses all of its capital, but the decision-makers will be free to do whatever they want. If McCarthy does come to like a running back in the class, Pittsburgh drafting that prospect can't be ruled out. At that point, Johnson would be in some serious trouble.
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