PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – From the day he let a kickoff go past him and allowed Seattle to score a touchdown, it seemed inevitable the Steelers would part ways with 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson. That day was Sunday, as Johnson, who announced it himself, was traded to the Green Bay Packers.
The Big 10 Running Back of the Year in 2024, Johnson was the 83rd overall pick in the NFL Draft last year. He would play in only 10 games his rookie season with 28 carries for 69 yards for no scores.
This preseason Johnson often would go practice periods without touching the ball. He was a third-string kick returner and didn’t play on any of the kickoff teams. Steelers added Rico Dowdle and Travis Homer in the offseason and brought back practice squad running back Lew Nichols and drafted Eli Heidenreich in the seventh round, all judged higher than Johnson.
Compensation for Johnson has not yet been disclosed, but likely he would have been released by 6p on Sunday anyway. Green Bay is without starting tailback Josh Jacobs for the start of the season landing on the Commissioner Exempt list after being recently charged with two misdemeanors-battery and criminal damage to property from an alleged altercation with his ex-girlfriend in May.
Johnson had 17 carries for 53 yards in the preseason
Johnson had 17 carries for 53 yards in the preseason
