Steelers' Truth Comes Out About Mike Tomlin's Issues With Kaleb Johnson

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 third-round draft pick, running back Kaleb Johnson, had many believing he was due for an exceptional rookie year. With the running back room featuring Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, many thought Johnson would challenge Gainwell for snaps, but Gainwell ultimately emerged as one of the offense's most valuable pieces. Alongside Warren, the two formed a strong one-two punch that helped carry Pittsburgh's offense throughout the 2025 season.

After the season ended, Gainwell departed in free agency, leading the Steelers to sign Rico Dowdle to pair with Warren. That has left many wondering what Johnson's future will look like in the new offense led by Mike McCarthy, especially given McCarthy's familiarity with Dowdle and Warren's established role in the NFL.

During his rookie season, Johnson made one of the biggest mistakes of his year when he muffed a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks. The costly turnover contributed to a Steelers loss and stuck in the minds of fans, many of whom believed it landed Johnson in the doghouse of former Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who stepped away from the organization following the 2025 season.

According to Jim Wexell, however, Tomlin was never especially upset with Johnson. The bigger issue was simply finding opportunities to get him on the field. Wexell added that Johnson has looked impressive and is motivated to move past a disappointing rookie campaign entering 2026.

"Kaleb Johnson has gotten first-team reps, and he looks like he's been all business," Wexell said. "He looks like a guy who wants to make amends. And he wasn't so much in Mike Tomlin's doghouse last year on that kickoff return. There just was no place to play him. As a rookie, he could not pick up blitzes, and his pass-catching looks a lot better, I will tell you that."

It's no secret that the muffed kick, which played a role in the Steelers losing a game early in the 2025 season, factored into fans counting out Johnson. 

Wexell believes, however, that Johnson's story is far from over.

"Now what does he know about picking up blitzes now? He has been working on all his faults," Wexell said. "There's a guy who is totally determined. Would not shock me if he shines in preseason."

With Dowdle in town and Warren set to lead this rushing attack, it will be interesting to see how Johnson fits in during his second season. His pass protection was weak, and it seemed to significantly limit his ability to get on the field in his rookie year. Now there's noise being made that he has improved that area of his game.

Steelers' Kaleb Johnson Looking To Have Massive 2026 Preseason

Entering his second season and determined to remind fans why the Steelers used a third-round pick on him, he is eager to show what he can do. The preseason will be a major opportunity for Johnson as he looks to establish himself and prove he can eventually develop into a potential bell cow in this offense.

Dowdle and Warren are the exciting veterans who should create a dangerous attack. If Johnson can continue to improve, he may be able to add a third dimension to the backfield. One thing is for certain. Johnson will be looking to have a dominant 2026 preseason campaign.

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