The Green Bay Packers have added depth to their running back room by acquiring former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson in a trade on Sunday.
Johnson, 23, was selected by the Steelers in the third round of last year’s NFL Draft after an All-American season at Iowa. However, he fell down Pittsburgh’s depth chart after the team signed Rico Dowdle and Travis Homer to support starter Jaylen Warren.
As a rookie, Johnson recorded 28 carries for 69 yards, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt. That ranked third on the Steelers behind Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
Kaleb Johnson’s 2024 Steelers production
Johnson finished fourth on Pittsburgh’s team in rushing yards last season. Tight end Jonnu Smith recorded nine carries for 70 yards and a touchdown, narrowly surpassing Johnson’s total.
Smith, who previously played for Packers head coach Matt LaFleur when LaFleur was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, signed with Green Bay earlier this week.
Johnson also played 11 special-teams snaps across 10 games, including eight kickoff-return snaps on which he handled the ball. His special-teams experience appears to be largely limited to kickoff returns, a role that could go to wide receivers Skyy Moore and Savion Williams during the regular season. Johnson’s longest return last season went for 29 yards.
The Steelers have not yet announced what compensation they will receive for Johnson, including whether the return will be a player or a draft pick.
Source: www.acmepackingcompany.com
