With Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs facing potential league discipline, the team is adding depth to its backfield.
The Packers are acquiring running back Kaleb Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to The Ringer.
Selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Iowa, Johnson struggled to find a consistent role in the Steelers’ offense. With Jaylen Warren and recently signed Rico Dowdle established ahead of him on the depth chart, Johnson became the odd man out in the Steelers’ backfield.
The former Iowa Hawkeye has seen very little opportunity since entering the league. Appearing in 10 games with the Steelers, Johnson logged 28 carries for 69 yards with an abysmal 2.5 yards per carry that stood as a polar opposite to his production with the Hawkeyes.
With Jacobs’ status early in the season unclear, Johnson provides some much-needed depth for the Packers at running back. Without his starter, head coach Matt LaFleur will rely on former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks and now Johnson to handle the load.
While his NFL career is off to a slow start, Johnson’s bell-cow production at Iowa was what made him a top running back prospect in the 2025 draft. He rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns with 6.4 yards per carry, and if he can find that same groove, the Packers might have found another big addition to the room. Jacobs might not be on the field to start the year, but Lloyd and Johnson could form quite the young duo.
