Steelers Facing Challenge With Kaleb Johnson That Could Ultimately Lead To Him Being A Major Bust

A lot of the 2026 offseason attention for the Pittsburgh Steelers has been geared towards the quarterback and wide receiver gaps that currently exist on the roster. It's fair to consistently bring these areas up because of how important they both are to the success of any NFL offense. One spot that should probably be talked about a bit more is running back. Jaylen Warren is locked in as the starter, and Kenneth Gainwell may very well depart via free agency. This could present an opportunity for a guy like Kaleb Johnson, or someone else, to step up in Mike McCarthy's new offense.

Not enough can be said about Gainwell's performance in 2025. He was voted as the team's Most Valuable Player while playing on a one-year deal worth less than $2 million. He is now set to get paid in free agency, and the running back market appears to be heating up. If the franchise decides to not re-sign him, one would think that Johnson could have a great opportunity to perform.

However, while appearing on The Fan Morning Show, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo discussed plenty of different topics regarding the team. One of the questions asked by co-host Dorin Dickerson revolved around the running back position. It has flown under the radar, and if Gainwell walks in free agency, Pittsburgh may have some tough decisions to make. 

What really stood out was what the beat writer said about Johnson, as the second-year player will continue to have a tough time proving himself regardless of what happens with Gainwell. There could be limited opportunities.

"You would ride Jaylen Warren," Fittipaldo stated. "I think Kaleb Johnson would obviously get more run, but then you would kind of need that third-down back to fill in for Kenneth Gainwell because Kaleb Johnson doesn't really have that skill set."

Sure, Johnson would likely get a few possessions a game to make his presence felt; however, if he is not a consistent third-down back, the chances of him proving himself to the coaching staff in game-like settings will be slim. If Warren stays healthy, the door may never truly be opened for the 2025 third-round selection to earn more playing time and reps.

Additionally, if the Steelers sign a formidable veteran such as Aaron Jones, the snap counts for Johnson could be in the toilet. In this scenario, after two full seasons of very few positive contributions, his career in the Steel City may be as good as over. There's always the chance that injuries pave the way for him to prove himself, but any player will tell you that this kind of scenario is not preferred.

Unless ball carriers come out of college ready to take the top job immediately, they typically sit behind an established starter and work their way in on third downs and special teams. If the Steelers aren't really viewing Johnson as someone who can pass block and provide a security blanket consistently to the quarterback when it matters most, he could continue to face a ton of uncertainty in the Steel City.

McCarthy has a history of prioritizing the wide receiving corps throughout the majority of his coaching career, so as that room gets revamped, it will be interesting to see how the offense plans to use Johnson, if at all. Getting four or five carries per game, and not really being useful on third downs, will only spark more discussion about the running back being a big-time bust.

Steelers May Soon Have Plenty Of Unpredictable Roster Developments

Any time there is a new coaching regime plugged into a franchise, a lot can change. If McCarthy's staff really doesn't see a lot of promise in Johnson, 2026 could be his final year in the Steel City. That's not confirmed to be the plan, but with Warren running the show and a lack of third down experience under Johnson's belt, fans may start to worry sooner rather than later.

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