The Pittsburgh Steelers sent running back Kaleb Johnson packing, shipping him off to the Green Bay Packers, a move that screams immediate urgency for Green Bay’s backfield situation. This isn’t just a roster trim; this is a strategic play right as teams finalize their 53-man rosters for the season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler broke the news, confirming a pretty significant shake-up in the late stages of the preseason.
Pittsburgh’s Backfield Was Just Too Crowded For Kaleb Johnson
Johnson, a third-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2025 NFL Draft, played in 10 games his rookie year. But let’s be real, his role was super limited: he only tallied 28 carries for 69 yards. When you’re in a backfield with guys like Jaylen Warren and Kenny Gainwell, touches are hard to come by. Even with Gainwell heading to the Buccaneers in free agency, Pittsburgh didn’t just stand pat; they brought in Rico Dowdle. It sounds like Johnson truly felt like the odd man out, and instead of just cutting him loose, the Steelers managed to get some draft capital out of the deal. That’s a smart move by Pittsburgh, turning a looming cut into an asset, even if the return isn’t reported yet. Warren and Dowdle are now clearly set to lead the charge for the Steelers, with Travis Horner, Lew Nichols, and Eli Heidenreich behind them.
Green Bay’s Risky Bet On A Young Back
Why did the Packers jump on Johnson? This move is all about Josh Jacobs. Green Bay’s starting running back is still awaiting discipline from the NFL for off-the-field incidents this offseason. That’s a huge cloud hanging over their team right before Week 1. So, adding Johnson, a young guy they can develop, makes a ton of sense. If Jacobs gets hit with a lengthy suspension to start the season, Johnson could be someone the Packers turn to immediately. He’s also reuniting with new Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, who he spent five years with when McCarthy was with the Dallas Cowboys. Talk about a familiar face! In a corresponding move, the Packers waived RB Pierre Strong Jr., per NFL analyst Jordan Schultz, showing they were serious about making space.
With every team done with preseason games, the clock is ticking for clubs to trim their 90-player rosters down to 53 by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. For Green Bay, their running back room is now a mix of Jacobs, Johnson, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, Damien Martinez, and Jaden Nixon, depending on who else gets cut. The real question is how long Jacobs will be out. This trade for Johnson feels like a big-time insurance policy, and it’ll be fascinating to see if it pays off as the regular season officially kicks off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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