Head coach Mike Tomlin explained to reporters this week Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson will not return kickoffs in Week 3. Johnson muffed a kickoff during the fourth quarter in the team’s home opener Sunday. The mistake directly led to a Seattle Seahawks touchdown.
While the Steelers are effectively benching the rookie, Tomlin explained to reporters Tuesday he is leaving open the possibility of Johnson regaining his job. But former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn’t very optimistic that happens.
Roethlisberger argued on the latest episode of his podcast that Johnson might not play much at all for the remainder of his rookie campaign.
“After last week, not getting much action, and this week, that happening. Unless injuries or something happen, we may not see him again the rest of the year,” Roethlisberger said, via Steelers Depot’s Joe Clark. “There’s a chance. I don’t want to just call it a doghouse, but it’s tough.
“It’s a tough place, a tough situation.”
Johnson’s muffed turned a 3-point deficit into a 10-point difference versus the Seahawks. The Steelers were unable to overcome the mistake and suffered a 31-17 defeat.
Through two weeks, Johnson has returned eight kickoffs. He has averaged 23.8 yards per return with his longest return being 29 yards.
On offense, Johnson has played only four snaps and recorded two touches. The rookie has rushed for minus-1 yard on two carries.
Ben Roethlisberger Proposes Dim Picture for Kaleb Johnson Playing Time
On the surface, it feels like a bold prediction to say Johnson won’t see the field again for the last 15 games of his rookie season.
The Steelers drafted Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Expectations were high for Johnson entering the season. Although Johnson didn’t play much in the first two weeks, it wouldn’t be surprising if he saw more snaps as his first season progresses.
But Roethlisberger’s claim that Johnson might not receive another opportunity this season without an injury isn’t all that bold either.
The rookie is a distant third for the team’s running backs in terms of offensive snaps through two weeks. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell have essentially split snaps in the Steelers backfield. Warren has played 61 snaps while Gainwell has received 56 offensive snaps.
Johnson lined up for two offensive snaps in both Weeks 1 and 2.
The Steelers have used the kickoff return team has a way to get Johnson on the field. But with the rookie losing that role, there’s a strong chance he doesn’t play at all in Week 3.
Should that happen, it might take either an injury or poor play from Warren and/or Gainwell for Johnson to receive another chance.
Should Johnson Play on Special Teams Anyway?
Again, Tomlin left open the possibility of Johnson getting another opportunity on the kickoff return team. But it might not be the worst thing in the world he’s off the unit.
After Johnson’s muff Sunday, pundits on social media argued the Steelers shouldn’t be using the rookie on special teams anyway.
Johnson is a between-the-tackle running back, which isn’t typically a trait best suited for kickoff returns. Johnson returned very few kickoffs in college, so he’s not experienced with the role either.
That lack of experience showed with his huge blunder Sunday.
Losing the kickoff return role will allow Johnson to focus on his running back duties. The Steelers running game with Warren and Gainwell during the first two weeks of the season has averaged only 62.5 yards per game.
If that continues, the Steelers could turn to Johnson to jump start the team’s ground attack. That’s why the team drafted Johnson in the third round. He led the Big Ten with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns last season.
It may be just as likely, though, that the team doesn’t trust Johnson again this season unless they have no choice because of injuries.
