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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 21: Kaleb Johnson #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on following an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had the best luck when it comes to third-round skill position players over the last two drafts. Pittsburgh drafted wide receiver Roman Wilson out of Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft. In his first two seasons, he has 12 catches. Then in 2025, the Steelers selected Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who would go on to have just 28 carries for 69 yards as a rookie, his most notable play being a special teams gaffe on a kid return that led to a Seattle Seahawks touchdown in Week 2.
Speaking to the media at the NFL Owners Meeting, new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy expressed his belief in Johnson.
“I understood what happened with him on special teams, but he’s a young man,” McCarthy said via Nick Farabaugh. “Look at his draft value. I’m going to challenge to be a three down player and a special teamer. All of that is part of being a young running back.”
McCarthy likened Johnson’s situation to a Catholic confession.
“I am aware of [his] past experiences, but this is like a Catholic operation,” McCarthy said. “You say three Hail Marys and everybody has a clean slate and let’s get to work.”
The Steelers signed two-time 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle at the beginning of free agency to pair with Jaylen Warren, which puts Johnson at the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, which is where he was a season ago behind Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
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