The addition of Rico Dowdle during free agency gives the Pittsburgh Steelers a potentially lethal two-headed rushing attack. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with two different organizations, while Jaylen Warren recorded nearly 1,300 scrimmage yards last season.
Unfortunately, this doesn't leave much opportunity for second-year running back Kaleb Johnson... and the 2025 third-round pick could quickly be on the way out.
Since the addition of Dowdle, Johnson has been at the center of trade buzz during the 2026 offseason. The latest prediction from Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh suggests that Johnson might not make the roster.
NFL expert and FanSided senior contributor Marcus Mosher toyed with the idea of the Dallas Cowboys trading for Johnson.
"Kaleb Johnson would be an interesting flyer for the Cowboys if they want another young back on a rookie contract," Mosher wrote on X.
It makes too much sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers not to consider a Kaleb Johnson trade
In 2023, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren were the only two Steelers running backs to carry the football. Over the past three years, Pittsburgh's third running back has combined for just 60 carries (20 per season). Despite Pittsburgh moving on from Najee Harris last year, Johnson carried the ball just 28 times, as the bulk of the touches went to Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
That split could get even uglier with Dowdle added to the mix.
Not only does Johnson need to prove himself this summer after a dismal rookie season, but in order to be relevant, he would have to somehow surpass Warren or Dowdle on the depth chart. And considering what those two are getting paid, that feels unlikely.
Sadly, Johnson doesn't offer special teams value either. The Iowa product played just 11 snaps on special teams last season, and it resulted in a catastrophic, game-altering error when the young running back failed to jump on a live ball against the Seahawks early in the season.
With special teams ace Travis Homer signed during the 2026 offseason and after the Steelers spent a draft pick on Navy's Eli Heidenreich, Johnson isn't a lock to make the team. Thus, general manager Omar Khan should be open to any trade talks the team can field.
Trading Johnson to the Cowboys would make some sense.
Though moving from a zone offense to a pro-style offense with heavy play-action would be an adjustment, Johnson is a big-bodied back who might be able to do his best work putting his foot in the ground and going downhill.
Outside of veteran Javonte Williams, the Cowboys don't have much competition for an RB2. This is a role Johnson could claim in Dallas.
Draft picks are like purchasing a car—they immediately depreciate in value the moment you drive them off the lot. The Steelers would not be able to get their third-round draft capital back out of Johnson, but Khan might be willing to take any Day 3 pick. A sixth-rounder could potentially get it done.
The Steelers need their RB3 to be a player who can wear multiple hats and play special teams. This role doesn't fit Johnson's skill set. Perhaps Pittsburgh should run with Mosher's idea and see if the Cowboys are interested in trading for the Steelers' 2025 third-round running back.
Add us as a preferred source on Google