The Pittsburgh Steelers had high hopes for running back Kaleb Johnson during his rookie season, but he struggled to establish himself and was overtaken on the depth chart by Kenneth Gainwell. Despite entering the league as a third-round pick, Johnson never quite recovered from a costly kickoff mistake in Week 2, a lapse that cost him confidence and playing time. Even Steelers General Manager Omar Khan expressed his disappointment, highlighting Johnson’s lack of impact during his debut year.
Johnson’s limited production and lack of opportunity left the Steelers searching for answers as the 2025 training camp began in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Comparison With James Conner’s Early Career Struggles
Mark Kaboly, a respected Steelers reporter, pointed to James Conner’s early career as a potential model for Johnson’s development. Conner, who joined Pittsburgh in the notable 2017 draft class, faced setbacks during his rookie season, including a season-ending ACL injury while backing up Le’Veon Bell. However, Conner rebounded in his second season to claim the starting role and amassed nearly 1,500 scrimmage yards, showcasing significant growth and athleticism.
“Here, I think Khan is spitting facts, and they were surprised by the lack of explosion from [Kaleb] Johnson when he was out there,” Kaboly said. “In his defense, I’ve seen running backs make huge strides physically from their rookie year to their second year. James Conner comes to mind.”
– Mark Kaboly, Steelers Reporter
Conner’s trajectory illustrates how running backs can dramatically improve between their first and second years, an encouraging sign for Johnson as he embarks on his sophomore campaign.
James Conner’s Career Beyond the Steelers
Following his rookie contract, James Conner signed with the Arizona Cardinals, extending his NFL tenure to five additional seasons. While running backs often face short careers due to wear and injuries, Conner has remained a reliable option when healthy. His injury history limited his time with the Steelers, but his consistent production elsewhere underscores the value of perseverance and recovery in sustaining a pro football career.
For Johnson, the Steelers hope he can emulate Conner’s resilience and performance growth, converting early struggles into long-term contributions for the team.
Opportunities Ahead as Steelers Eye Backfield Depth Changes
With Kenneth Gainwell potentially departing via free agency, Kaleb Johnson could find more opportunities to earn playing time, possibly rotating behind current starter Jaylen Warren. The Steelers are expected to maintain a running back-by-committee approach, which would allow Johnson to showcase his skills on third downs and sporadic drives depending on his progress during training camp.
Jaylen Warren and Johnson bring contrasting styles to the position: Warren is known for his sideline-to-sideline running, while Johnson prefers a more direct north-south approach. This combination could challenge opposing defenses by forcing them to adjust to different offensive looks throughout games.
Competition for the Backup Role Intensifies During Camp
The Steelers may also add another running back through a Day 3 draft pick, increasing competition for the No. 2 spot behind Warren. This scenario would push Johnson to demonstrate significant improvement in conditioning, football IQ, and consistency during camp and preseason practices to secure valuable snaps in the regular season.
Steelers fans and analysts remain cautiously optimistic about Johnson’s potential, hoping he can mirror James Conner’s career progression and contribute meaningfully to Pittsburgh’s offense.
Reading between the lines with Steelers GM Omar Khan at the NFL Combine
Mark Kaboly / Steelers Correspondent
For The @PatMcAfeeShowINDIANAPOLIS — It’s been four times now that Steelers general manager Omar Khan went through the media gauntlet at the NFL Scouting Combine as the… pic.twitter.com/8l2UDilENq
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) February 25, 2026
