Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson Wants to Make an Instant Impact
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers third-round pick Kaleb Johnson is expected to have instant impact with the team. It wouldn’t surprise NFL.com analyst Buck Brooks if the rookie out of Iowa posts over 1,000 yards rushing this season.
The current projection for Johnson at Rotowire is 159 Carries for 676 Yards (4.3 yards per carry) and five touchdowns, along with 24 Receptions for 171 Yards and one touchdown.
Jaylen Warren is expected to be the lead back, so unless there’s an injury, it will be surprising if Johnson reaches the 1,000-yard mark in Year 1. Johnson expects that kind of production, though. He’s aiming for NFL Rookie of the Year.
“It’s a great fit,” Johnson said of the Steelers offense at the first day of rookie minicamp on Friday. “Learning from Coach (Eddie) Faulkner, he’s one of the greats. As far as [Jaylen] Warren, Najee [Harris] being here, Le’Veon [Bell], all those guys coming here and being successful. Najee had 1,000 yards for four years. That just doesn’t happen for no reason.
“I feel like at the next level, I want to come in and get more. I want to be rookie of the year. That’s my main thing. Winning Super Bowls, rookie of the year, All-Pro, I want to do all of that. I feel like they can best support me here. I can get here and I can do it.”
In 2024, Johnson had a breakout season, rushing for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He also recorded 22 catches for 188 yards and two more scores.
The run-first minded Steelers are hoping he can have similar success at the next level in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s wide-zone run scheme, which he seems to be a perfect fit for.
Johnson is already feeling good vibes with the Steelers.
“I love it here. I really love it here,” he said. “I came here to play on Sundays with these guys and just overall compete. That’s the main thing right now. Compete. Learn the playbook and get ready for Sundays‚”
It’s easy to tell Johnson puts a lot of work into his body. He has a massive frame, standing at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, and the production on the field to back it up.
“Every day, man,” Johnson said when asked about his workout regiment. “The day before I came here, I ran like three or four miles on the treadmill and lifted and worked my butt off that following day, and now I’m here. This is the thing I’ve been wanting to do, so I’m chasing.”
Alan Saunders and Aaron Becker contributed reporting for this story.