The Kaleb Johnson hype prepare is barreling forward at full pace for Steelers followers, however the place does it lead? The rookie working again is an intriguing participant and he generally is a great addition to the offense. However as a rookie who has solely skilled some NFL spring practices, ought to we mood our enthusiastic observations?
Mark Kaboly, that effusive ray of sunshine, not too long ago referred to as Kaleb Johnson “a star within the making” after watching minicamp. He isn’t the one reporter who’s excessive on what he has seen from the rookie. Ray Fittipaldo additionally famous that Johnson stood out. However is he set to emerge as a famous person within the Steelers’ offense as a rookie in 2025?
“I’m not able to predict that now. I don’t know what you might presumably see in minicamp and OTAs to make that prediction,” Brian Batko mentioned on 93.7 The Fan. “I haven’t seen him get the onerous yards inside but within the NFL, and we have now 4 years of Najee doing it. I’m simply tempering the ‘Kaleb Johnson: famous person’ angle.”
There’s a notion that Johnson is tailored for the Steelers’ offense run by OC Arthur Smith. That could be true, as is the notion that working again is the place at which it’s best to contribute straight away as a rookie. However there’s nonetheless a studying curve.
Past that, the Steelers are nonetheless creating their offensive line, which is a key ingredient right here. And let’s not neglect, they aren’t paying Jaylen Warren over $5 million this 12 months to be fairly. Certainly, he has educated this offseason with the expectation of accelerating his workload. There might be touches left over for Kaleb Johnson, however will he run away with the job by midseason?
“That’s the place I’m pumping my brakes coming down the hill. As a result of for as a lot Najee Harris left folks wanting a bit of bit, by no means fairly lived as much as that first-round working again expectations … He was sturdy, he was constant, he did shake off a whole lot of tacklers. He did carry the Steelers’ offense at occasions over these 4 years,” Batko mentioned as followers, in his thoughts, get forward of themselves over Kaleb Johnson.
He did permit that Johnson “can possibly be a reduce above” with the “breakaway pace aspect.” The Steelers talked about him including an explosive aspect to the offense once they drafted him. Whereas he didn’t time properly on the Mix, his tape exhibits them that he has sufficient juice. If solely they will get him to the second stage, after all, or if he can handle it himself.
However what in regards to the glowing studies about Kaleb Johnson from OTAs and minicamp? Batko suggests it would partly stem from the truth that groups are engaged on conditions wherein working backs can shine proper now. For Johnson, that features engaged on his receiving.
That’s why he emphasised the truth that he hasn’t seen Johnson “get the onerous yards inside but within the NFL.” Can he do this? The Steelers clearly assume that he can, however till he does, it’s all simply scorching air in June.
