Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis seems to always be positive when publicly addressing his former team. Yet his opinion still holds a lot of weight because of his black and gold accomplishments and popularity in Pittsburgh. This week, it’s hard to envision Bettis being anymore complimentary of Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson.
While appearing on The Jim Rome Show, “The Bus” conveyed he likes Steelers veteran running back Jaylen Warren. But Bettis appears to love what the rookie is going to bring to Pittsburgh.
“I think Jaylen Warren is a really good running back,” said Bettis on Thursday, via Steelers Depot’s Matthew Marczi. “He’ll get more opportunities, more carries. He’ll show what he’s capable of.
“But Kaleb Johnson, a young running back they drafted out of Iowa, I really believe he’s got a chance to be special.”
Johnson was certainly special in college with the Iowa Hawkeyes. During the 2024 season, Johnson led the Big Ten with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Overall, he scored 23 times in just 12 games while making the All-American team.
How Kaleb Johnson Will Complement Jaylen Warren
The Steelers allowed former first-round pick Najee Harris to depart in free agency during March. That wasn’t a shocking move after the team opted out of his fifth-year option in May 2024.
That set up Warren, after signing a contract tender this offseason, to be the team’s primary running back in 2025. That’s likely to still be the case, especially early in the year. But Johnson, who the Steelers selected in the third round, could also have a major role.
Bettis sees the pair as a great match.
“I think they’ve got two running backs that actually can complement each other, that’ll create an opportunity,” said Bettis.
Last season, Warren rushed for 511 yards as the team’s No. 2 back. But he posted a career-low 4.3 yards per carry.
In 2023, Warren averaged 5.3 yards per rush, which helped him register 784 yards on the ground despite just 149 attempts.
Warren should have more carries and touches this season. But he’s never been a lead back, which could mean plenty of opportunities for Johnson even if Warren is the starter.
Steelers Counting on Improved Offensive Line for Ground Attack
Pittsburgh finished the 2024 season ranked 11th in rushing yards. However, that ranking was largely based on being fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts.
The Steelers lacked the running back explosiveness or efficiency they needed to have a truly elite running game. Pittsburgh was 20th in yards per carry and 19th in rushing touchdowns last season.
Adding Johnson to replace Harris might help the Steelers ground game efficiency. But Bettis identified the offensive line as what needs to improve the most to help Pittsburgh’s running attack.
“The biggest component to all of this is the offensive line,” Bettis told Rome. “Can the offensive line create that opportunity in the running game but also help in the passing game?”
The return of 2024 first-round right tackle Troy Fautanu could be the key to the Steelers offensive line making a huge jump this fall. With Fautanu on the field, fellow tackle Broderick Jones can flip back to his more natural side.
Along the interior, 2024 Pro Bowler left guard Isaac Seumalo returns along with promising second-year center Zach Frazier. 2024 fourth-round pick Mason McCormick will enter his first season as a starter at right guard.
Every Steelers projected offensive lineman except Seumalo will be younger than 25 to begin the season. The unit doesn’t have a lot of experience, but there’s a ton of potential in the group.
If the linemen develop together, Johnson will have an opportunity to fulfill the lofty expectations Bettis placed on him.
