Kaleb Johnson's Week 2 preseason burst against Tampa Bay put a bright spotlight on the Steelers' rookie backfield. Johnson flashed patience, burst through creases, and showed enough contact balance to suggest he can handle more than conventional preseason carries. Even in Pittsburgh's 17-14 loss, his ability to threaten the second and third levels stood out, earning quiet praise from Mike Tomlin as one of the rookies who shined. The performance fuels optimism about his potential role as the Steelers finalize their backfield mix.

With Derrick Harmon also drawing Tomlin's attention after the game, Pittsburgh heads to Carolina for another tune-up, offering Johnson another platform to prove he belongs in the plans for 2025. Fantasy managers should monitor how Pittsburgh slices carries behind Najee Harris and whether Johnson carves out a significant early-down or change-of-pace role. The backfield narrative remains fluid, but Johnson’s early-showing provides a tangible path to real NFL snaps this season.