The Pittsburgh Steelers kept up with the Jets and ultimately won their first football game of the season, and it wasn’t a game anyone could have planned for. We were told this entire offseason that Pittsburgh was going to control the trenches and win with a stout defense and a demoralizing rushing attack.
Instead, Aaron Rodgers looked like an Air-Raid quarterback while the defense resembled Swiss cheese.
Another player whose game didn’t go to plan was rookie running back Kaleb Johnson. Hyped up as the next big thing after being taken in the third round, it didn’t take long for fans to crown him as the next bell-cow for this offense.
If his game against the Jets was any indication, this was incorrect. In fact, it looks like Johnson may be in for a long rookie season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers treated Kaleb Johnson as an afterthought
While there was a conglomerate of fans certain that Johnson was going to instantly step into the bell-cow role, I was always more hesitant. Mid-round rookies can take some time to get up to speed, and Jaylen Warren is an established presence in the backfield.
However, two offensive snaps and a single carry for negative yards were far worse than I imagined. And unfortunately, I don’t see things getting better for the rookie.
Part of the reason he failed to see the field was how the game went. The Jets kept constant pressure on the Steelers, so hurry-up and the passing game dominated their looks. That style doesn’t fit what Johnson does best.
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However, it is alarming to see just how low that snap count was. It wasn’t a surprise to see Warren come out as the lead back, but Kenneth Gainwell had the most snaps in the backfield by game's end.
His style of play made him a natural fit, and I don’t expect that share of the reps to remain constant, but it is clear that Gainwell has a role for this team. That further complicates Johnson’s role moving forward.
Unless an injury occurs, Johnson is going to have to bide his time. He’ll see a carry here and there, but unless the team establishes a big lead, it is hard to fit him into the backfield.
Part of the issue is his weaknesses. He isn’t a great receiver, and his pass blocking could also use some work. That means defenses can key in to stop the run when he is in the game.
For someone with such a big fan club already, it wasn’t a good sign that Johnson was so clearly third in the pecking order at running back. He has a long road before he is a viable member of the offense, and there is a real chance that his rookie season is a quiet one.