Kaleb Johnson’s NFL journey has been anything but smooth. After a star-crossed rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he lost most of his responsibilities following a critical special teams error in Week 2, Johnson found himself buried on the depth chart. The Steelers moved on, securing Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle as their primary backfield options, leaving Johnson to seek a fresh start elsewhere. Now with the Green Bay Packers, Johnson is fighting to prove he belongs, but the road ahead remains steep.
In Green Bay, Johnson faces a crowded backfield. With Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List indefinitely, the Packers brought in Johnson to compete alongside MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks. In a recent 20-17 overtime win against the Jets, Johnson showed flashes, compiling eight carries for 32 yards. However, his impact was limited—he appeared in only 16 of the Packers’ 59 offensive snaps, trailing Chris Brooks (27 snaps) and tying with starter MarShawn Lloyd (16). None of the backs could find rhythm, combining for just 63 yards on 18 attempts. Despite the modest production, Johnson’s presence was felt off the field, as a practice video from Green Bay went viral this week, highlighting his potential and renewed opportunity.
Back in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have solidified their backfield with Warren and Dowdle, the latter signing a two-year, $12.36 million deal. Johnson’s failure to establish himself as an essential reserve ultimately led to his departure. Meanwhile, the Packers are hoping Johnson can rediscover the form that made him a draft prospect, but he’ll need to capitalize on every snap. With Jacobs’ status uncertain, the door is open for someone to step up—but Johnson must overcome his past mistakes and seize the moment. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether this change of scenery can revive his career.
Shimanta Das 
