In 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers finished with a 10-7 record. It was enough to make a wildcard weekend, but the Steelers lost 28-14 to the Ravens.
Last season, Najee Harris was Pittsburgh’s mainstay roundback. He led the team with 263 carries and 1,043 rushing yards. Harris had 143 carrys than his backup Jalen Warren. The Steelers did not re-sign Harris this offseason. In the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected RB Kaleb Johnson from Iowa State. On the team’s first official depth chart, Johnson is listed as the third string RB.
The starting RB job in Pittsburgh was not handed over to Caleb Johnson.
Kaleb Johnson Rb 3👀https://t.co/47sxl8gsnn
– Football fan (@bestballgenius) August 5, 2025
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers appreciate rookie RB Caleb Johnson. The 21-year-old fits all down RB physical profiles in the NFL. He is 6 feet and 225 pounds. During his final season at Iowa, Kaleb Johnson rushed for a career-high 1,537 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. In 2024 he was named the US for the second team from the Associated Press. Rookie Kaleb Johnson has the potential to make it into the league and be successful soon.
But Pittsburgh will handle this into the “Stealer Way” as the 2025 season approaches. Kaleb Johnson will not be handed over his first job. Jalen Warren was listed as the starter on the team’s first official depth chart. Kenneth Gainwell is a backup. It leaves rookie Caleb Johnson as RB3. This is not a concern for anyone who knows how the Steelers work.
From the first Steelers depth chart, Tomlin is Tomlin. Kaleb Johnson is sitting behind Warren & Gainwell, not number two (but I don’t think that’s been the case for a long time).
– Tray Carney (@carneymedia) August 5, 2025
Jalen Warren has served as a backup for each of the last three seasons. The 26-year-old has never started a Steelers game. Warren has appeared in at least 15 games in all three professional seasons. Knowing head coach Mike Tomlin, he will likely start the season with Jaylen Warren. That doesn’t mean that Karen Johnson doesn’t see his considerable actions.
Kaleb Johnson has two experienced RBSs with a third string before him. It takes a lot of work and continuous success to get the job that a rookie started with the Steelers. Throughout training camp, Johnson has acquired Pittsburgh and first team personnel. It’s well known that Oka Arthur Smith of the Steelers loves running football. Kaleb Johnson is waiting to prove he can become a flagship RB in college and prove it in the NFL. At some point in 2025, Johnson should take over as the Steelers’ RB.
