As the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off mandatory minicamp, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith addressed what’s becoming one of the team’s most intriguing storylines: the running back depth chart.
With Najee Harris now a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, many assumed Jaylen Warren would inherit the lead role in the backfield. But third-round rookie Kaleb Johnson has turned heads early.
Suddenly, there’s a full-blown competition brewing in Pittsburgh. Still, Smith isn’t rushing to name a starter.
“It’ll work itself out,” Smith said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons back there, and then how we deploy them, that’s what we’ll get into at Latrobe.”
The Steelers have leaned heavily on a committee-style approach in recent years, and it paid off in 2024 when Harris and Warren combined for 1,654 rushing yards and 320 carries. But with Harris gone, the team needs a new formula—and perhaps a new face to take on the brunt of the work.
Kaleb Johnson is the perfect guy.
The rookie out of the Big Ten didn’t just impress scouts during the pre-draft process. He’s making his mark early in minicamp.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can rely on Kaleb Johnson to carry the offense in 2025
Johnson finished his college career with 2,279 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, earning Consensus All-America honors while ranking second in the Big Ten in carries (240). His physical running style and work ethic have already started to turn heads in the building.
Still, the reps aren’t promised. Johnson may have the tools, but the NFL is a different beast. He’ll need to prove he can sustain the workload and adapt to Pittsburgh’s offensive system—one that Arthur Smith is still molding.
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What’s clear is that the Steelers have put themselves in a position of strength. Having two capable, motivated backs competing for touches is a luxury in today’s NFL. It’s a reflection of efficient drafting and a renewed focus on offensive balance.
I’d love to see both Warren and Johnson play significant roles this season. Warren has the vision and burst to thrive in space, while Johnson could become the workhorse few saw coming.
My gut says Johnson’s ceiling might be higher than expected.
Either way, the battle in the backfield is far from over, and next month's training camp in Latrobe will be critical. For now, Smith is content to let the players sort it out, knowing full well that the Steelers’ ground game could be one of their biggest strengths in 2025.