PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – ‘I want to be Rookie of the Year.’
Steelers tailback Kaleb Johnson not shy with his expectations for his rookie season. The Big 10 running back of the year kept going with bold comments about being an All Pro and winning Super Bowls, and the plural is correct.
He has enthusiastically jumped into everything Steelers from the plays, to workouts, everything. Johnson is as openly excited about starting his career after college as anyone you’ve seen.
“I love it here,” Johnson said during Steelers rookie mini-camp. “I really love it here. I can’t wait to play on Sundays with these guys and just overall compete. That’s the main thing right now is compete, learn the playbook and get ready for Sunday.”
When he talks about being the best rookie in football, he doesn’t talk about doing it alone. The Iowa star said he’s getting as much information as he can from three-year Steelers running back Jaylen Warren and Eagles free agent Kenneth Gainwell. You can now include the addition of four-year pro Trey Sermon.
He said it’s been so welcoming, so much so he said even Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi talked to him, wishing the new Steelers running back well. Johnson believes Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner is one of the greats in coaching.
“Najee had 1,000 yards every four years, that just doesn’t happen for no reason,” Johnson said. “I want to be the next up.”
Maybe this is all just kissing up. Maybe this is going to wear off after the first struggles. Maybe.
The last time Johnson was challenged was final season with the Hawkeyes. In 2023 he missed three games due to injury, but even in the games he played, he managed only 463 rushing yards in 10 games. He had a 100-yard game against Purdue and then not more than 54 yards on a Saturday in his last seven games in 2023.
The 6’, 212-pounder, who grew up around Cincinnati, started his final season at Iowa with four straight 100-yard games including 206 yards against Minnesota. He would be named an All-American averaging 6.4 yards per carry with 21 touchdowns including six of 40 or more yards and nine of 25-plus yards.
He’s studied Le’Veon Bell and some compare his style and ability to catch the football to the Steelers Pro Bowler. Even with Warren, Gainwell and Sermon in the backfield this year, Johnson is the only one under contract in 2026.
The opportunities are there and he’s not bashful of what he expects.