Steelers Insider: The One Thing Kaleb Johnson Must Do for 53-Man Spot
Can Kaleb Johnson Save His Steelers Spot? A Simple Breakdown
The Big Picture
Imagine you’re picked for a team, but you make a big mistake early on. Now you’re fighting just to keep your uniform. That’s Kaleb Johnson’s story right now.
He’s a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers entering his second NFL season. Last year, he was a third-round draft pick (that’s pretty high!). Some people thought he might even become the main guy carrying the ball.
But things didn’t go as planned.
What Happened Last Year?
Johnson’s rookie season took a sharp turn:
- He made a costly mistake on a kick return (catching the ball after the other team kicks it to you)
- After that, he barely got any carries (chances to run with the ball)
- He finished the season buried on the depth chart
Where Things Stand Now
The Guys Ahead of Him
| Position | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Rico Dowdle | Lead back |
| RB2 | Jaylen Warren | Clear #2 option |
| RB3 | ??? | Wide open battle |
Johnson is fighting several other young players for that RB3 spot (the third running back).
The One Thing He MUST Do
Steelers reporter Jeff Hathhorn was crystal clear on 93.7 The Fan:
Johnson has to play special teams. Period.
Why Special Teams Matter So Much
Think of special teams like the "utility player" in baseball—they do the dirty work on kicks, punts, and coverage.
- If you’re RB1 or RB2, you’re too valuable to risk on kick coverage
- If you’re RB3, you MUST contribute there
- Otherwise, you’re taking up a roster spot for almost no reason
The Problem: Others Are Better at It
Johnson’s competition isn’t just good at running—they’re special teams aces:
| Player | Special Teams Resume |
|---|---|
| Travis Homer | Excels there – known for it league-wide |
| Eli Heidenreich | 200+ special teams snaps last year at Navy |
| Lew Nichols | Called "really hard and physical" on coverage units |
[!IMPORTANT]
The Hard Truth: Even if Johnson is a slightly better runner than these guys, he loses the roster spot if he can’t help on kickoffs and punts.
The Kick Return Situation
Johnson started last season as a kick returner but got demoted after a Week 2 error.
Now there’s new competition:
- The Steelers drafted Kaden Wetjen in the 4th round specifically as a return man
- Johnson is getting practice reps in return drills this camp
- But he’s no longer the clear #1 option back there
The Good News (Yes, There Is Some!)
It’s not all doom and gloom:
- Teammates notice improvement – They say he’s "super locked in" and has "grown a lot"
- Preseason games matter – If he lights it up in August, coaches might keep him anyway
- Sunk cost factor – Teams hate giving up on 3rd-round picks after just one year
How He Makes the Team: A Simple Checklist
- Dominate special teams practice – Show up on kick coverage every single day
- Win the return job – Beat out Wetjen for the kick/punt return role
- Shine in preseason games – Break big runs when the lights are on
- Be the clear "next man up" – Prove that if Dowdle or Warren gets hurt, he’s the guy
Summary
Kaleb Johnson is on the roster bubble.
- Good news: He’s talented, young, and teammates see growth
- Bad news: Two proven backs block his path, and special teams is his weakness
- The fix: Become a special teams demon or have an unbelievable preseason
If he can’t carve out a role on kickoffs and punts, the Steelers will likely keep a guy who can—even if Johnson runs better.
FAQ
1. What does "RB3" mean?
It’s the third running back on the depth chart. They rarely carry the ball in games but must contribute on special teams to justify a roster spot.
2. Why can’t a running back just be a running back?
NFL rosters only have 53 spots. If you only do one thing (run the ball) and you’re not a starter, you’re taking a spot from someone who can do multiple things.
3. What happened on that kick return mistake?
The article doesn’t give exact details, but it was costly enough that coaches immediately lost trust in him as a returner and stopped giving him offensive snaps too.
4. Who is Kaden Wetjen?
A 4th-round rookie drafted specifically to return kicks and punts. He’s Johnson’s direct competition for that job.
5. Can the Steelers keep 4 running backs?
Rarely. Most teams keep 3 or 4 total. With Dowdle and Warren locked in, only 1-2 spots remain for Johnson, Homer, Heidenreich, Nichols, and Wetjen.
Want the simple version? Johnson needs to hit people on kick coverage like his career depends on it—because it does.