Kaleb Johnson just wrapped up his rookie minicamp and is ready to hit the ground running with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The third-round pick doesn't lack confidence in his abilities, and he wants the world to know that he's gunning to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
When asked about his goals for the 2025 season, Johnson didn't hold back.
"I want to be Rookie of the Year. That's my main thing," Johnson explained to the media. "Win so many Super Bowls, Rookie of the Year, All-Pro, I want to do all of that. And I feel like they can best support me here, and I can get here, and I can do it."
Johnson's draft status as the 83rd overall pick suggests he doesn't stand much of a shot at obtaining this prestigious award, but he's entering an incredible situation in Pittsburgh, and a fast start to his rookie season may be the only boost he needs.
Kaleb Johnson landed in the perfect spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers to be an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate
Before declaring his bold goals for the 2025 season and his career, Johnson pointed to other running backs who have walked through the building before him, like Le'Veon Bell and Najee Harris. Despite Bell's short career and Harris's lack of efficiency, both proved to be perennial 1,000-yard running backs for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kaleb Johnson could follow suit.
Though veteran running back Jaylen Warren will be splitting touches with Johnson in the backfield, Warren has had a tough time staying healthy, and Johnson is the player who profiles as the workhorse back. With Najee Harris leaving in free agency this offseason, Warren is Johnson's only real competition for significant playing time, and the Steelers could lean on the rookie often.
Following the 2024 college football season, Johnson was considered a potential early second-round pick. The Iowa Hawkeyes' running back had a phenomenal junior year that included 1,537 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns—both numbers were good for first place in the Big Ten.
At 6'1'' and 224 pounds, Johnson is a smooth runner who decisively hits the hole and has excellent build-up speed in the open field. Unfortunately for the talented running back, Johnson's draft stock dipped after clocking a 4.57 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The good news is he now finds himself in a perfect situation to succeed.
Johnson, a tremendous wide-zone runner at Iowa, is a picture-perfect fit in Arthur Smith's wide-zone rushing attack in Pittsburgh. Additionally, the Steelers have invested heavily in their offensive trenches over the past three seasons, and their revamped offensive line could be ready to hit its stride in 2025.
Kaleb Johnson is going to have some fierce competition for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, as he will be competing against fellow running backs like Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, as well as number one overall pick Cam Ward. Still, there's a path for Johnson to have immediate success with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he couldn't have landed in a better spot for his skill set and the opportunity that will be presented as a rookie.