Rookie running back going to ‘keep doing me’

Kaleb Johnson makes preseason debut in Jacksonville
Kaleb Johnson running the ball
Photo credit Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Kaleb Johnson provided a burst last year, the Iowa running back scored 21 touchdowns and was named the Big 10 Running Back of the Year. Steelers are counting on a similar burst as he plays his first preseason game Saturday at Jacksonville.

Jaylen Warren won’t play and Kenneth Gainwell will get some action, but not likely a ton of reps. It opens the door for Johnson to get a lot of run and at the beginning it will be with four of the five offensive line starters.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Johnson said. “It’s one of my dreams. I’m just ready to go out there and keep doing me.”

The 21-year-old says he hopes they start him as a kick returner, he feels it just sets his day to get the butterflies out and take a hit on special teams.

From the early days of rookie mini-camp to now nearly at the end of practices in Latrobe, Johnson said he’s been deliberate in getting to know all of his teammates, but especially the offensive line. He said he’s learning their backstories. How they got here, just wanting to know everything he can about them so they can build a quick bond.

Just days into his NFL career, the third-round pick isn’t shy of asking 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers questions. Upon one of the first times he met Rodgers, Aaron told him he’s been in the league longer than Kaleb has been alive.

“He tones in on every little detail,” Johnson said of Rodgers. “It could be on the field. Even if you are one yard beside the hash or need to be on the hash, he will tell you. It’s always good to have a Gold Jacket vet around.”

A lot of his time has been spent around Warren. It’s a willing listener to anything he says, but especially his pass protection. It’s Warren’s forte and Johnson is learning some of the tricks so he can be a three-down back, a guy who you never have to take off the field.

One thing that sticks out in watching him practice, when he messes up a drill, he immediately wants to get back in line and do it again.

“I love his general demeanor regarding the get better,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “He's a work in progress, like a lot of young runners, in terms of blitz pickup, recognition not only on the NFL level, but technically. The posture that's required and how to create power and so forth. He's been really impressive in that he's a young man that doesn't run away from things. He runs to things, and so he's getting better in all areas.”

“It’s just running the ball,” Johnson said. “The thing I’ve been doing since I’ve been little. It’s football at the end of the day, just more details.”

If he can learn the complicated while keeping it simple, he’ll be fun to watch in 2025. KDKA-TV has the game at 7p with Bob Pompeani and Charlie Batch on the call.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images