The Pittsburgh Steelers and Najee Harris parted methods this offseason, with the crew’s former first-round decide from 2021 leaving in free company for the Los Angeles Chargers. Only a day later, Pittsburgh signed former Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell so as to add depth to the backfield, already having Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson getting back from a season in the past.
Nevertheless, Pittsburgh continued so as to add depth and expertise to their operating again room by deciding on Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson within the third spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, being a participant that OC Arthur Smith believes can assist change Harris’ influence and his touches from a season in the past with Warren.
As we head into the summer season and with coaching camp almost a month away, the operating again room seems to be deep with Johnson, Warren, Gainwell, Patterson, and Trey Sermon all bringing NFL expertise to the desk. From first look, it’s straightforward to take a look at Sermon as a observe squad candidate with the one actual probability of enjoying time for Pittsburgh this season.
Now, in regards to the prime 4 backs in Pittsburgh, it’s truthful to anticipate that Johnson and Warren will obtain essentially the most enjoying time and alternatives. Warren has established himself as a stable complementary again who operates properly within the passing recreation whereas taking advantage of his alternatives as a rusher. He’s been Pittsburgh’s go-to, third-down again throughout his time enjoying with Harris and brings the factor as an explosive runner in addition to a cross protector that can assist him maintain his position, if not add to it, this season.
Johnson is ready as much as step into Harris’ position because the early-down large again, having the dimensions (6010, 224 kilos) to deal with a workload between the tackles. He represented himself properly in that position at Iowa this previous season, showcasing a mix of bodily operating on contact in addition to the burst and acceleration that Harris was knocked for not having throughout his time in Pittsburgh, ripping off some lengthy runs when he acquired into open grass.
Johnson’s greatest knock on his recreation comes from a scarcity of passing recreation manufacturing on the faculty stage, however that’s no fault of his as a participant. Whereas conducting a movie room earlier for the positioning, I confirmed how Johnson has the talent set to contribute way more within the passing recreation than he did at Iowa, and his position there ought to enhance with extra alternatives within the league. Nonetheless, it’s secure to imagine that Johnson and Warren will alternate early down work to begin Johnson’s rookie season, with Warren seeing virtually all of the third-down work till Pittsburgh feels comfy with Johnson in that side of his recreation earlier than giving him extra alternatives on apparent passing downs.
The query then stays how Pittsburgh will seemingly deal with Gainwell and Patterson as Pittsburgh depth choices behind their seemingly lead backs. Gainwell is a smaller again (5090, 200 kilos) and is greatest fitted to extra of a change-of-pace position that may contribute as a cross catcher as properly. Patterson brings extra dimension to the desk (6020, 220 kilos) and has confirmed to be an efficient rusher and receiver throughout his NFL profession, having proven flashes final season in opposition to the Colts and the Ravens this previous season.
Each Patterson and Gainwell have expertise within the kick return recreation, with Patterson being some of the completed kick returners in NFL historical past, and he averaged 21.8 yards per return final season for Pittsburgh. Gainwell was additionally closely utilized within the kick return recreation final season, averaging 25.3 yards per return, a profession excessive. With Patterson now 34 years outdated, Pittsburgh could also be on the lookout for a youthful participant with extra juice to take his position on particular groups and within the backfield this season, signing Gainwell to compete for the RB3 spot in addition to the crew’s lead kick returner.
Coaching camp and the preseason will go a great distance in figuring out who wins the RB3 job, if Pittsburgh decides to maintain 4 backs, or in the event that they resolve to maneuver on from one throughout ultimate roster cutdowns. Gainwell will be the favourite proper now, being the brand new face with youth on his facet, however Pittsburgh has held onto Patterson so far to offer him an opportunity to earn a spot in what must be a deep operating again room, bringing varied skillsets to the desk in 2025.
