The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get on the field and hosted the Green Bay Packers in their preseason opener. They came away with a 28-9 victory. Several players stood out, while others didn't do much to help their case.
And running back Kaleb Johnson's performance was underwhelming, which indicates his time in the Steel City could be coming to an end. He only played in five offensive snaps and three special teams snaps, logging two carries for three rushing yards.
To make matters worse, Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle didn't suit up, but that still didn't benefit Johnson. Travis Homer and Lew Nichols both got snaps over Johnson in the first half, showcasing where they stand with the coaching staff.
Kaleb Johnson's preseason showing puts his Steelers future in question
The fact that Johnson wasn't put into the game until the third quarter tells you everything you need to know about his current status. And this is in line with how things have played out during training camp.
The Athletic's Mike DeFabo reported that Johnson has been battling for the RB3 spot this summer but hasn't created more than what the offensive line has blocked for him. It doesn't help his case that he isn't the best pass catcher out of the backfield.
This is a tough development since Johnson was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. Under Mike Tomlin and his staff last season, he appeared in 10 games but only played in nine percent of the offensive snaps. In those outings, he amassed 28 carries for 69 rushing yards.
And now under a new staff, he still hasn't done enough to climb the depth chart. Training camp and preseason are the time for players on the bubble to be productive and show they are worth having a role, especially under a new staff.
But for Johnson's sake, this is now the second straight year that he hasn't flashed. Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan played a role in bringing Johnson to town. Regardless of that, the tailback is standing on thin ice.
Dowdle, Warren, Homer, and Nichols all seem to be higher than Johnson on the totem pole in the backfield. Rookie running back Eli Heidenreich also seems to be in favor with the staff, as he finished with 25 offensive snaps, putting up nine carries and 21 rushing yards against Green Bay.
Time will tell if Johnson has a real shot of making the 53-man roster, but the way things played out against the Packers, it appears he'll have a tough time making the team.
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