The Pittsburgh Steelers gave the offense a new addition by selecting running back Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa with the 83rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers were expected to address the backfield after losing Najee Harris in free agency. Johnson will pair up with Jaylen Warren for Pittsburgh in 2025, which will hopefully be the start of a special duo. The Steelers have always focused on the run, but that's been especially the case since they hired Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator. On Friday night, Smith detailed what he and the Steelers will expect out of Johnson in his rookie year.
Pittsburgh seemed fine with letting Harris find a new home in free agency, but that doesn't change the fact that he spent four straight seasons carrying the ball at least 250 times. Although Harris was one of the most durable and reliable running backs in all of football, his lack of "home run" carries ultimately drove him out of Pittsburgh. Harris not once ever broke a run of 40 yards or longer in his four years with the Steelers.
Johnson ran for over 1,500 yards and rushed the ball into the end zone 21 times in 2024. He averaged a perfect 20 carries per game, which he averaged 6.4 yards a run. He can take a heavy workload, which is something some Steelers fans worry if Warren is truly capable of. After the Steelers made their third-round selection, Smith said in a presser that the addition of Johnson is an effort to make the offense more explosive.
"Generally, you've got 500 plus carries in a regular season, right? You're talking about 1,100 snaps," Smith said after the pick. "So you've got 500 carries to divvy up and that's kind of where you're at. Obviously losing [Najee Harris], I mean Naj for four years here, he was very durable and that's a lot of missing carries. The pass game, we need to get more explosive and this is an explosive runner and that's where he'll certainly help."
Smith also spoke about the addition of DK Metcalf in regard to creating an explosive offense. The unit has lacked explosiveness for years. There are many reasons to explain why Pittsburgh has had one of the worst offenses in the NFL in recent seasons, but speed and splash plays have been nonexistent. Over the last few seasons, Warren was the only running back that was able to break off big runs at a high rate.
The Steelers believed adding Johnson was more beneficial than taking a quarterback, wide receiver, or cornerback at pick 83. Harris being a former first-rounder makes his departure more disappointing, but the expectation is set lower for a back taken on the second night of the draft.
Steelers Looking To Finally Make A Change With Thier Passing Attack
Smith seemed very adamant about improving Pittsburgh's passing offense while speaking after Johnson's selection. The new wide receiver duo between Metcalf and George Pickens has the chance to create a dynamic passing game, and adding a difference maker in the backfield will help. The Steelers have yet to complete their plan at quarterback, but nonetheless, they want to pass the ball in 2025. Both Warren and Johnson are advanced receiving backs.
The Steelers could have two special duos between Pickens and Metcalf, and Warren and Johnson. The offensive line should improve up front, but the quarterback spot must be answered. In addition, Smith and the coaching staff need to get more creative. The Steelers have nearly a complete offense that has a lot of potential.
