Steelers Reporter Reveals Kaleb Johnson’s ‘Must-Do’ for 53-Man Roster
Kaleb Johnson’s Make-or-Break Season: Can the Steelers Running Back Save His Roster Spot?
The Big Picture: A Second Chance on the Line
Imagine you’re picked in the third round of the NFL Draft—pretty high praise! But then your rookie year goes sideways. That’s exactly where Kaleb Johnson finds himself entering his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Important Point: Johnson was a third-round pick in 2024, which means the Steelers invested significant draft capital in him. Usually, that buys you time—but not unlimited time.
What Went Wrong Year One?
Johnson came in with hopes of winning the starting running back job. Instead, here’s what happened:
- Costly Mistake – He muffed a kick return early in the season
- Lost Trust – After that error, he never got consistent carries again
- Buried on Depth Chart – He finished the year as an afterthought in the offense
The Current Landscape: Tough Competition Ahead
The Guys Ahead of Him (RB1 & RB2)
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Rico Dowdle | Lead back / Early-down grinder |
| Jaylen Warren | Change-of-pace / Third-down specialist |
These two are locked in as the top two. Everyone else is fighting for scraps.
The RB3 Battle Royale
Johnson isn’t alone in this fight. He’s up against some interesting names:
- Travis Homer – Special teams ace
- Eli Heidenreich – Logged 200+ special teams snaps at Navy last year
- Lew Nichols – Training camp standout who "plays really hard and physical" on special teams
- Kaden Wetjen – Fourth-round rookie who’ll get first dibs on return duties
The One Thing He MUST Do: Special Teams
Steelers reporter Jeff Hathhorn laid it out plainly on 93.7 The Fan:
"Here’s the thing to me: I haven’t seen him do anything on special teams except return. Even in practice, we haven’t seen him on kick coverage units. He has to be able to do that."
Why Special Teams Matter for a Backup RB
Think of it like this: If you’re not playing offense, you MUST play special teams. There are only 53 roster spots. A third-string running back who only runs the ball? That’s a luxury most teams can’t afford.
The math is simple:
- Dowdle & Warren = 95% of offensive snaps
- RB3 = maybe 5% of offensive snaps (unless injury)
- Special teams = 20+ snaps every single game
Important Point: Johnson was a kick returner to start 2025, but got demoted after a Week 2 fumble. Now the team drafted Kaden Wetjen specifically for that role. Johnson is getting practice reps returning kicks in camp—but he’s behind the rookie.
The Silver Linings: Why It’s Not Over Yet
1. Preseason Performance Can Change Everything
If Johnson lights up the preseason games—breaking tackles, hitting holes, showing explosiveness—the coaching staff might keep him purely as offensive insurance. Third-round pedigree still counts for something.
2. Teammates Are Noticing Growth
Per Steelers Depot, his teammates say he’s "super locked in" and has "grown a lot." That internal buzz matters. Coaches listen to the locker room.
3. He’s Still Young & Talented
You don’t get drafted in Round 3 by accident. The physical tools are there. It’s about consistency, trust, and versatility now.
The Path to the 53-Man Roster: A Checklist
Johnson makes the team if he can check at least one of these boxes:
- Dominate preseason as a runner/receiver
- Earn a core special teams role (kick coverage, punt coverage, etc.)
- Win the kick return job back from Wetjen
- Show enough offensive upside that they can’t risk losing him to waivers
Important Point: If he only shows offensive flashes but zero special teams value, he’s in danger. The other RB3 candidates (Homer, Heidenreich, Nichols) all bring special teams juice.
Summary: The Clock Is Ticking
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Draft Status | 3rd Round (2024) – High investment |
| Rookie Year | Disappointing – Lost return job after fumble |
| Current Depth | RB3 battle vs. 4+ competitors |
| Special Teams | Major question mark – Hasn’t shown coverage ability |
| Preseason | Last, best chance to prove worth |
| Teammate Buzz | Positive – "Grown a lot," "Super locked in" |
Bottom line: Kaleb Johnson has the talent. But in the NFL, talent + special teams = roster spot. Talent alone? That gets you a practice squad invite—or a plane ticket home.
FAQ: Your Kaleb Johnson Questions Answered
Why does a running back need to play special teams?
Simple: Roster spots are precious. If you’re the 3rd or 4th RB, you might get 3 offensive snaps a game. But special teams? That’s 15–25 guaranteed snaps. Teams keep players who contribute there.
What exactly happened on that kick return in his rookie year?
He muffed/fumbled a return in Week 2—a "brutal mistake" per reports. That cost him the return job and the coaches’ trust for offensive touches.
Who is Kaden Wetjen and why does he matter?
Fourth-round rookie drafted specifically as a return specialist. He’s younger, cheaper, and brought in to do exactly the job Johnson lost. Johnson now has to beat him just to get his old return role back.
Can’t the Steelers just keep 4 running backs?
They could, but it’s rare. Most teams keep 3 RBs + a fullback/special teamer. Keeping 4 pure RBs means cutting a linebacker, DB, or lineman. Johnson needs to offer something the others don’t.
What does "balls out" mean in Hathhorn’s quote?
ELI5 translation: "Plays incredibly well—like, ‘wow, this guy is way better than the other options.’" If Johnson looks like a future starter in preseason, they’ll keep him regardless of special teams.
Article based on reporting from Jeff Hathhorn (93.7 The Fan) and Steelers Depot. All player statuses reflect 2025 training camp/preseason timeline.