Steelers Head Coach Opens Door for Kaleb Johnson

PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin was known for a lot of things, and one of the most epic was his one-liners and responses while speaking to the media. Those “Tomlin-isms” defined his time with the organization just as much as his 19 straight non-losing seasons and Super Bowl victory, and now new head coach Mike McCarthy draws the unenviable challenge of following up on one the league’s best personalities.

It’s been just a few months on the job for the Steelers’ new coach, but so far McCarthy is filling the void nicely. He’s brought in a renewed sense that this offense can turn around and that the organization can finally develop their next franchise quarterback after a decade-long search.

McCarthy has also shown quite the personality, as well. At the NFL Owners’ Meetings, he dropped one of the best quotes since being hired in PIttsburgh, while also providing a bit of hope for a current outcast on the roster. Speaking about second-year running back Kaleb Johnson, McCarthy described how this situation is not that different from the Catholic sacrament of confession - and he too can find absolution in 2026.

“This is like a Catholic operation,” McCarthy stated. “You say three Hail Marys, the priest blessed you and everybody's got a clean slate”

What This Means for Johnson in 2026

Those words should wash over Johnson like a feeling of rebirth heading into his second NFL season. The former third-round pick had a disastrous rookie season. He was a non-factor on offense, and in his one chance to shine on the special teams, he made a costly mistake. That fumble relegated him to non-active on game days and a reserve player once he returned to the lineup.

But with a new head coach in charge, the Steelers might just give Johnson another chance and prove why he was a day two draft pick just a year ago.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20) gets ready to catch the Jets punt and run the ball, Sunday, September 7, 2025, in East Rutherford. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Can Johnson Work Up the Depth Chart?

Johnson might have a clean slate in year two, but that doesn’t guarantee he will get the playing time he desires. Even with this new opportunity, he is stuck at third on the depth chart, at best. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle are going to consume the heavy majority of the offensive snaps, leaving Johnson with limited opportunity to pry snaps away from either more experienced back.

His only hope is impressing so overwhelmingly at training camp that he gets an expanded opportunity. It’s a long and challenging road for Johnson, but if that happens, he can’t look back or ask for forgiveness.

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