When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the hopes were high, and the expectations followed. Using their second pick in that draft on a running back was viewed as rich at the time, and a year later, some are already writing off Johnson. 

But Johnson isn’t running from his rookie struggles. In fact, he’s facing them head-on and ready to show everyone that he’s on to bigger and better things in 2026.

Kaleb Johnson explains rookie year struggles 

“There’s ups and downs to football,” Johnson told Trib Live during minicamp. “I feel like that was a down moment for me, but everybody has down moments. I feel like it’s me overcoming that and really just keeping my mind straight. Keeping my mind forward and getting ready to go.”

Training camp is often described as drinking through a fire hose for all of those involved, especially if you’re not prepared. Media, players, coaches, and especially rookies in any of those three roles. 

That proved true for Johnson, who struggled with the speed and physicality of the game during camp, but that carried over to the preseason, where he looked hesitant, if not timid. 

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Where Kaleb Johnson’s rookie season went off the rails

But everything really went downhill after he botched a kick return that ultimately cost the Steelers an early-season game against the Seahawks. Johnson was unable to hop on the moving train that is the NFL season after that, and the rest was history. 

Flash forward to the offseason, and you see the likes of Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer, and Eli Heidenreich added to the room, and you can see how Johnson is on the outside looking in.

But with a fresh start available in front of a new staff, Johnson has the chance to make everyone forget about his inaugural season and prove the doubters wrong. It will be far from easy, and he must first make the roster, but if he can play, I expect Mike McCarthy to find a role for him.