The Pittsburgh Steelers ended their experiment with Kaleb Johnson considerably earlier than anyone expected. Pittsburgh selected the Iowa running back in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but traded him to the Green Bay Packers after only one disappointing season. Johnson believes he knows the exact moment everything began collapsing.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20) during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
His Steelers career will be remembered for one disastrous special teams mistake against the Seattle Seahawks. Johnson allowed a live kickoff to roll into the end zone during the fourth quarter, where Seattle recovered it for a touchdown. The mental error turned a three-point deficit into a 24-14 game. Pittsburgh eventually lost 31-17.
Johnson discussed his departure after arriving in Green Bay and offered a remarkably direct explanation for what went wrong. During an interview shared by NBC 26 sports reporter John Miller, the young running back accepted responsibility instead of criticizing Pittsburgh for moving on.
"It was my mental errors at first that really killed it for me," Johnson said. "I feel like that kickoff killed me, and I feel like from there on, it was all just downhill."
Johnson's assessment is understandable. The mistake immediately removed him from kickoff return duties and destroyed an avenue toward earning opportunities. A backup running back who cannot contribute reliably on special teams becomes harder to activate.
He appeared in 10 games as a rookie and carried the football 28 times for 69 yards, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt. Johnson added one reception for nine yards and returned eight kickoffs for 190 yards. Those numbers demonstrate why the kickoff cannot receive all the blame. One embarrassing play changed how Pittsburgh viewed Johnson, but he still needed to produce afterward. The Steelers rarely saw enough consistency or special teams usefulness to expand his workload.
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Steelers' Kaleb Johnson during a training camp practice in 2026.
A coaching change offered Johnson a reset. Mike McCarthy arrived without loyalty to the previous depth chart, allowing his staff to evaluate the running backs independently. That separation never happened. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle secured Pittsburgh's primary backfield roles, while Johnson failed to establish himself as an essential reserve. The Steelers eventually accepted a 2028 sixth-round selection from Green Bay rather than risk losing him without receiving anything.
Trading a recent third-round pick for distant Day 3 compensation represents an organizational disappointment. Less than 16 months after selecting Johnson, Pittsburgh valued the roster spot more than continuing the project. Johnson did not leave bitterly. He thanked Pittsburgh for drafting him and giving him his first professional opportunity before embracing the team that provided his fresh start.
"I give all respect to the Steelers for giving me a chance and drafting me," Johnson said. "But it's 'Go Pack Go' now, so let's go."
Johnson also struggled to contain his excitement, admitting that he hardly knew what to say. He promised that his new team is going to be very good. Green Bay's offense is led by Jordan Love, giving Johnson a fresh environment in which to rebuild his career.
That is the correct attitude. Johnson cannot erase the Seattle mistake, but he can apply the lesson in Green Bay. Admitting that mental errors contributed to his departure reflects maturity that should help him handle another chance.
Steelers Will Determine Whether Kaleb Johnson Trade Becomes Regret
Pittsburgh's decision could still become uncomfortable. Johnson is only 23 years old and was productive enough in college to warrant a third-round investment. Young running backs sometimes require patience before processing NFL responsibilities naturally, especially when special teams mistakes damage their confidence.
Green Bay also presents a legitimate opening. The Packers acquired Johnson while Josh Jacobs remains on the Commissioner's Exempt List indefinitely, leaving their new addition to compete for immediate work alongside MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks. Strong early performances could quickly rebuild his reputation.
The Steelers gave Johnson a full offseason under a new regime and still determined he did not fit. Whether Green Bay exposes a premature decision or confirms Pittsburgh cut ties at the proper moment will be decided by what Johnson does next. The immediate verdict is far less complicated: the Steelers spent a 2025 third-round pick on a player they traded 16 months later for a 2028 sixth-rounder. That valuable investment was wasted regardless of which organization ultimately wins the deal.
Did Pittsburgh abandon Johnson too quickly, or did his mental mistakes make this trade unavoidable? Share your Steelers reaction with me on X (@anthonyghalkias), and consider following me for more Black and Gold coverage.
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