The NFL preseason is more than just warm-up games; it’s a proving ground—a stage where young players get to display growth, resilience, and the grit it takes to succeed at the next level. For Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson, Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was exactly that: proof that setbacks don’t define you, but how you respond does.
Since being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Johnson has carried the weight of great expectations.
Pittsburgh fans know the importance of a reliable backfield presence, and Johnson, a former Iowa All-American, arrived with a reputation as a workhorse.