You’ve probably seen the name. Maybe you saw it on a Sunday afternoon ticker or a late-night college highlight reel. But there’s a decent chance you’re actually looking for Kaleb Johnson, the former Iowa Hawkeyes powerhouse now carving out a path with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
People get the name wrong constantly. They swap the "K" for a "C," and honestly, it’s understandable given how many Caleb Johnsons are currently floating around the NFL—there’s a linebacker for the Dolphins and another one who bounced around the Jaguars and Falcons. But if you’re talking about the guy who can turn a simple zone-stretch into a 75-yard house call, you’re talking about Kaleb with a K.
What Most People Get Wrong About Kaleb Johnson
There’s this weird narrative that Kaleb Johnson was just a product of a specific system at Iowa. People look at the "big back" build—6-foot-1, 224 pounds—and assume he’s just a north-south bruiser. That's a mistake. While he definitely has the size to punish linebackers, his game is built on a surprising amount of finesse and top-end speed.
Think back to the 2024 season opener against Illinois State. He was suspended for the entire first half. Most guys would come out rusty or frustrated. Instead, he stepped onto the field for the second half and basically decided the game was over. 11 carries. 119 yards. Two touchdowns. He didn't just play; he dominated the optics of the game in a way few backs can.
He ended that 2024 college season with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. That wasn't just "good for Iowa." That was fourth in the entire FBS for rushing yards. He was a consensus All-American for a reason.
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The Pittsburgh Transition: Grit and Growing Pains
The Pittsburgh Steelers grabbed him in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, pick 83 overall. It felt like a classic Mike Tomlin move. Tomlin loves backs who don't need to be told twice to hit a hole. Early in the 2025 training camp, Tomlin was already singing his praises, noting that the kid showed up in incredible shape and was "really engaged."
But the NFL isn't college. The margin for error is razor-thin.
On September 14, 2025, during a game against the Seattle Seahawks, things got messy. Johnson was back for a kickoff return. The ball bounced over his head, and in a moment of hesitation, he drifted toward the sideline while Seattle’s George Holani pounced on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. It was the kind of rookie mistake that gets you a permanent seat on the bench in the NFL.
And it did. He was benched for the Week 3 win against New England. Kenneth Gainwell took over return duties.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
If you’re a fantasy manager or just a Steelers fan, you might be looking at his 2025 stats—69 rushing yards and a 2.5-yard average—and thinking he’s a bust. That’s a shallow take.
The NFL is about the "bounce back." After that benching, Johnson showed some serious mental toughness. He didn't puke his way out of the league. He clawed back into the rotation by Week 4 and started showing flashes of that Iowa vision again. By late 2025, he was seeing specialized snaps against teams like the Vikings and Browns.
The Real Skill Set
- Zone Scheme Proficiency: He’s at his best when he can read a block and one-cut.
- The "God-Touched" Physicality: Scott Dochterman once wrote in The Athletic that Johnson was "touched by God" in terms of his physical ceiling. That doesn't just disappear after one bad special teams play.
- Academic Discipline: He was an AP Scholar in high school. That translates to the film room. He isn't just a physical specimen; he’s a student of the game who was raised by a grandfather, Jeffrey Strader, who prioritized books over balls.
The Verdict on the Running Back
The road for a third-round back is rarely a straight line. Right now, he’s sitting behind guys like Jaylen Warren, but the talent is undeniable. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the combine, combined with a 10-foot-1 broad jump, proves the explosiveness is there.
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Honestly, the biggest hurdle isn't his legs; it's the depth chart and the mental game of special teams. In 2026, the focus for Johnson is becoming a "complete" back. That means pass protection and proving he can be trusted in the return game again.
If you’re tracking his progress, look at his "yards after contact" metrics. Even in limited 2025 action, he was averaging 2.32 yards after contact. He’s hard to bring down. Once he gets the rhythm of the Steelers' offensive line, those 15-yard bursts will become a regular Sunday occurrence.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Monitor the Depth Chart: Keep an eye on how the Steelers handle Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren in the 2026 preseason. If Johnson's snap count on first and second down increases, it's a sign the coaching staff has forgiven the Seattle blunder.
- Watch the Return Game: His path to more touches likely goes through special teams again. If he’s back deep returning kicks, it means he’s won back the trust of the special teams coordinator.
- Differentiate the Names: When searching for updates, always use "Kaleb Johnson Steelers" or "Kaleb Johnson Iowa" to avoid getting stats for the Miami Dolphins linebacker Caleb Johnson.
The talent is too high for him to stay buried forever. He has the frame of a lead back and the pedigree of an All-American. Whether he becomes a focal point of the Pittsburgh offense depends entirely on how he handles the pressure of the professional stage this coming year.