​After 19 seasons under Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced a reset this offseason when the longtime head coach resigned. Bringing in former Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy to lead the team offered a glimmer of luck, but a new regime always carries uncertainty. Veterans who aligned with the first unit under Tomlin may need to prove themselves again to a fresh coaching staff. Players who were drafted to fit Tomlin’s organizational plan could find themselves with new roles or no spot at all once rosters are trimmed from 90 to 53. In short, everyone will have to reestablish their footing and demonstrate their value to the new leadership.
One area that promises to be especially intriguing in Pittsburgh is the running back group. The Steelers added free agent Rico Dowdle on a two-year, $12.2 million deal. After back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and a career-best six rushing touchdowns in 2025, Dowdle is likely the frontrunner for the starting job. However, Jaylen Warren is coming off a breakout campaign with 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and he signed a two-year, $11.9 million extension last offseason. The Steelers also used a 2025 third-round pick on Kaleb Johnson, a selection made prior to Warren’s breakout year and before the team’s foray into Dowdle’s signing.
This raises the question: does Johnson still have a path to meaningful playing time in his second season? Recently, Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Union-Tribune suggested Johnson isn’t guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster this fall. That conclusion is surprising given the club invested the 83rd overall pick in him last April. When Johnson came into the league, there was some expectation that he could push for a starting role as a rookie. Yet he carried the ball only 28 times for 69 yards last season, a modest and somewhat disappointing stat line.
There are reasons to be patient with Johnson. Dowdle is 28 years old, and Warren will turn 28 in November. Johnson, by contrast, won’t reach 23 until August. The Steelers might decide that it’s prudent to see how Johnson develops over another year, especially since he is still under contract for two more seasons and could be a long-term asset. With Dowdle and Warren both entering the back end of their 20s and Johnson still years from his prime, the Steelers could opt to retain and develop him rather than pull the plug prematurely.
The 2026 draft added another potential challenger in Eli Heidenreich, a seventh-round pick who can contribute in multiple roles, including fullback, tight end, or receiver. If Heidenreich settles into a running back role, Johnson’s roster spot could come under further pressure. Pittsburgh also added depth with veterans such as Travis Homer, who could provide versatile backfield support.
Ultimately, the decision on Johnson will hinge on development, the versatility the coaching staff values, and how the rookies and veterans perform in training camp and the early regular-season games. Given his youth, contract status, and room for growth, Johnson may be worth a longer look to see if he can mature into a durable, long-term component of Pittsburgh’s backfield. As the roster churn continues, Johnson’s fate will depend on how his opportunities unfold under McCarthy’s system, the health of the group, and the players around him who can help maximize the offense’s potential.