Latest news with #KalebJohnson
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Kaleb Johnson, Steelers' offense underwhelm as defense dominates Day 1 in pads: Takeaways
LATROBE, Pa. — From virtually the moment he was drafted, rookie Kaleb Johnson has been waiting for backs on 'backers — a one-on-one pass protection drill that tests a running back's ability to pick up blitzes. Because Johnson played in a run-heavy offense that was often under center at Iowa, that area of his game isn't as refined as his patient running style. But if he wants to become a three-down back who can stay on the field in all situations, development in this area is critical. That made Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers' first day in pads, an early measuring stick. Advertisement Facing 6-foot-3, 247-pound inside linebacker Malik Harrison, the rookie got off to a rough start. Harrison bull-rushed Johnson and beat him on the first two reps. Johnson waved to signal he wanted more. Unfortunately for him, it was more of the same. After Harrison won the third rep, Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner told Johnson he needs to do a better job keeping his hands inside, rather than letting the blitzer attack his chest. Later, Johnson was tested by rookie inside linebacker Carson Bruener. The running back fought hard during a more competitive rep, but his hands were up around Bruener's neck. He must continue to hone his hand placement in blocking situations. 'We've been working on it (together) since OTAs, and he used the techniques that we've been working on ever since,' said Jaylen Warren, one of the NFL's best pass-protection backs. 'We're going to build from today.' Kenneth Gainwell is a smaller back at 5-9 and 200 pounds. While he wasn't perfect and called himself 'rusty,' he showed more physicality than you might expect given his physical dimensions, with several competitive reps against Payton Wilson. The Steelers plan to use Gainwell in many ways, including splitting him out wide. As he looks to carve out a niche as a third-down back, Gainwell is clearly ahead of Johnson in pass protection. 'That's a big part of your game on third down,' Gainwell said. 'But all of us need to get that work in, and I'm going to continue to work at it.' At tight end, a competition could be brewing for the fourth and final spot on the depth chart. However, Connor Heyward clearly separated himself as a blocker on Wednesday. He forced linebacker Eku Leota wide and then won a second rep. On the flip side, undrafted rookie JJ Galbreath has shined in passing situations, but he wasn't nearly as effective as a blocker. Rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer walked Galbreath back on the first rep. Later, Nick Herbig used his speed to beat Galbreath off the line. Here's my full (unofficial) scorecard from the marquee event: After the Steelers gave up nearly 300 rushing yards in their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, coach Mike Tomlin said it was his goal to 'retool physicality in all areas.' On Day 1 in pads, Pittsburgh's run defense stifled the first-team offense, stopping almost every run with little or no gain. Advertisement 'I think everybody just understands the sense of urgency after what happened at the end of the season last year and not letting that happen this year,' Queen said. 'It starts right now. Just everybody being gap-sound. It's alignment, technique, assignment, taking care of what you're supposed to take care of and not shying away from that. … This is how you want your defense to play, especially Day 1.' Of course, in a Steelers-versus-Steelers setting, every win for the defense means a loss for the offense. After Day 1, there's a lot of room for improvement from a Pittsburgh offense that wants to win games at the line of scrimmage. 'It was a rough day for me personally,' Warren said. 'But we're going to use today and build on it.' Perhaps no position group is more critical to the Steelers' success this season than the offensive line. If the Steelers are going to reach their full potential, they're counting heavily upon first-round offensive tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu to play up to their draft position. Jones, who sustained a groin injury over the weekend, returned to practice and participated in individual drills. However, he did not take part in any full-contact drills. Tomlin said after practice that Jones is still working his way back to full participation. Broderick Jones on the first day in pads. First big test for the OL today — Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) July 30, 2025 Fautanu, meanwhile, had several positive reps. Tomlin tested the tackle against T.J. Watt during a one-on-one period. Although they weren't clear wins, Fautanu at least held his own against one of the game's best edge rushers, in a drill that favors the defense. During a team run period, the most explosive play was a Warren run with Fautanu helping to pave the way. Advertisement 'I thought he represented himself well today,' Tomlin said of Fautanu. 'He really gets a chance to improve and improve fast because of who he gets to work against every day.' Fautanu, who holds himself to a high standard, was more critical of his own performance. He's back to full strength after last year's season-ending knee injury, but he's still in the process of mentally trusting his body. 'I honestly didn't think we did that good today,' Fautanu said. 'Speaking for myself, not everybody else, (I've) got to clean up a lot of stuff. I've got to gain more confidence. It's a lot different playing with pads, especially when things are live, people flying around. (I'm) just trying not to play timid and worry about (my knee). It feels good. It's just one of those mental blocks you've got to get over. 'Just trusting my anchor, knowing that I have the anchor to sit on (bull rushes) and not lunging and doing stuff like that. A lot of technique stuff, especially when we have pads, because anything goes now.' On the very first live rep of practice, the Steelers tried to run the ball off tackle with Warren. Joey Porter Jr. triggered quickly and brought down the back in the backfield with a nice form tackle. On the first day in pads, the big guys are typically the ones to watch. But on several occasions, the third-year DB made his impact felt. Later, Porter and receiver Robert Woods got into one of the first scuffles of camp. They wrestled each other to the ground, with several defensive players coming to Porter's defense. Playing in the AFC North, the Steelers value physical cornerbacks who aren't afraid to run to the fight. While Porter had some room to grow in that area in his first two years, he's showing improvements in Year 3. 'It's just a one-day sample,' Tomlin said. 'For me, it's about putting good consecutive days together and displaying consistency. Certainly, he had a good day today.' Advertisement As a see-ball, hit-ball type of player, Robinson is expected to thrive in backs on 'backers. As mentioned above, he stood out with the biggest collision of the day. However, the more noteworthy play came during team periods. Robinson sniffed out a screen and blew it up in the backfield. 'The people that physicality is an asset of their game, it needs to show up and show up consistently,' Tomlin said. Robinson's physical, downhill style has helped him flash during preseason games and on special teams in the past. But if he's ever going to take that next step and become a legitimate contributor on defense, instinctive plays like the one he made on the screen are more critical. He also showed his nose for the ball in team run periods. While the offense underwhelmed in general Wednesday, the day started well, as Aaron Rodgers continued to build a connection near the goal line with DK Metcalf.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Kaleb Johnson and 10 others to watch as the Steelers put on pads
Shortly after the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round, the rookie running back set the bar high for himself. 'Najee (Harris) had 1,000 yards all four years,' Johnson said during rookie minicamp. 'That doesn't happen for no reason. I feel like I want to be next up. I want to come in, I want to be Rookie of the Year. That's my main thing. Win Super Bowls. Rookie of the Year. All-Pro. I want to do all of that.' Advertisement At Iowa, Johnson racked up 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024 using his patience and vision to thrive in a run-heavy, outside-zone offense. Considering Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is also a proponent of ground-and-pound and has often built his offenses around outside-zone runs, Johnson appears to be an ideal scheme fit. But if Johnson is going to become the feature back and a legitimate three-down contributor one day, he also needs to improve in one area: pass protection. For months, Johnson has been talking about improving his blitz pickup while spending extra time before and after practices hitting the bag to work on his technique. 'Everything else will fall into place,' he said last week. 'But that's my main thing: pass protection.' Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson working on pass protection at rookie minicamp. He said yesterday this is the part of his game he's most focused on improving. — Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 10, 2025 Tuesday, it's time for his first test. The Steelers will put on pads for the first time this training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., and, as is tradition, the main event of practice will be the spirited backs on 'backers drill. 'Blitz pickup is something that's really evaluated in pads,' coach Mike Tomlin said. 'Certainly, he's been working to develop and hone his technique, but the physicality component is something that's very difficult to simulate.' Johnson will be one of the main players to watch in pads, but he's not the only one. Here are a few more to keep your eye on this week when things get real. From the moment the Steelers drafted Harmon, he's looked the part. The defensive tackle played in an odd front at Oregon, so he's already familiar with the 4i-technique (lining up on the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle) that he's playing in the base defense. His strong hands and quick hips have been noticeable in low-contact settings. Advertisement But if the Steelers are going to fix what defensive coordinator Teryl Austin calls their 'Baltimore problem,' they need to become more physical up front. Harmon could be a significant part of that solution if he continues to shine. Physicality was Fautanu's calling card when he was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, a preseason knee sprain delayed his debut, and a torn medial patellofemoral ligament and dislocated kneecap ended his season prematurely. His rehab is now complete, and he's ready to put the pads back on for the first time in a long time. 'It's been a while,' Fautanu said. 'It's been close to a year since I played real football. … As an offensive lineman, the worst thing is to play football in shorts and T-shirts.' Fautanu called Tuesday's practice the 'last checkpoint' in his return from injury. When you watch the young right tackle, pay special attention to his footwork. 'I missed a lot of reps,' Fautanu said. 'Being back, I think I got some happy feet. Just moving them just to move. But that's about it. I think once my feet are good, usually everything else is good.' On the other side of the offensive line, Broderick Jones has as much (or more) to prove in pads than anyone. He dropped about 20 pounds on his own, without the coaches asking, this offseason. For a player who ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.97) of any offensive lineman in his class, playing around 310 or 315 pounds should help Jones regain the agility and mobility that made him a first-round pick. However, Jones sustained a soft-tissue, lower-body injury over the weekend. Trainers wrapped his groin/hip/hamstring area in practice on Sunday, and Tomlin called him 'day-to-day.' It remains to be seen whether the Steelers will be cautious or if Jones can continue an important developmental process in camp. Advertisement Will Howard might be a fan favorite. But the rookie quarterback's favorite target? Undrafted rookie tight end JJ Galbreath. As I've written before, Galbreath shined at his pro day, putting up numbers that were, in many cases, better than the best combine participants. That athletic makeup has helped the undrafted rookie from South Dakota become a weapon in the passing game in unpadded and low-contact situations. He also has the versatility to do many things Smith asks from his tight ends. 'In college, I lined up all over the offense — No. 1, 2, 3 receiver. In-line. Off-line. Little bit of backfield,' Galbreath said. 'In all honesty, they're asking all of the same things from us tight ends.' The one question mark in Galbreath's game is how he'll hold up as a blocker. That makes one-on-one blocking drills an early measuring stick. 'I'm hoping to surprise some people with the willingness and that aggressiveness in the blocking game,' Galbreath said. 'Technique is always going to be a big part of that, but I'm working on it just as everybody else is working (on something).' Galbreath, who is listed at 240 pounds after weighing in at 231 at his pro day, doesn't have to be dominant. But if he's at least solid, perhaps he can continue his case as a dark horse candidate to unseat Connor Heyward for the final spot on the tight end depth chart. During the draft, Tomlin said the Steelers made it a goal to 'retool physicality in all areas.' Sawyer, a 260-pound outside linebacker from Ohio State, was part of that plan. 'I think he fits the bill in terms of physicality and size,' Tomlin said after the draft. 'So that definitely was an agenda of ours this weekend.' During Darnell Washington's rookie year, Tomlin tested him with a marquee matchup against T.J. Watt. If Sawyer goes up against Washington, it will be a big test for the rookie outside linebacker. On the flip side, Tomlin likes to pit younger players against each other. Perhaps a Jack Sawyer-Galbreath matchup could be part of the one-on-one period, presenting a bigger test for the young tight end. Advertisement While the backs on 'backers drill (which also includes tight ends against outside linebackers) is the main event Tuesday, Tomlin also uses the first practice in pads to challenge players in other one-on-one situations. When the coach was asked about the matchup he's most looking forward to, he pointed to two players. 'I like Kenny (Gainwell) versus Payton Wilson in routes,' Tomlin said. 'Kenny G has shown a really good aptitude from a route-running standpoint out of the backfield. Payton Wilson, in the second year, is a guy that's working to be dominant in that area. It's just one of those matchups that has my attention.' Gainwell has been deployed in camp as a bit of a Swiss Army knife. He's often lined up wide as a receiver, in addition to running routes out of the backfield. On the flip side, Wilson called himself the 'best coverage linebacker in the world' last week. If the Steelers want to lean into more man coverage, the young inside linebacker will be an important part of the equation, just as much as the additions in the secondary. Ramsey and Metcalf had plenty of physical battles in the NFC West, when Ramsey was with the Los Angeles Rams and Metcalf starred on the Seattle Seahawks. To this point, everyone has kept their composure during team drills. But when the pads go on, it could be a different story. The Steelers have been moving Metcalf around the formation a lot in camp, including putting him in the slot. This is a common tactic to get a team's top receiver away from a dominant outside corner. One of the many benefits of Ramsey playing in the slot is that teams won't be able to dictate a better matchup by motioning a receiver. This week, it could lead to some physical one-on-one battles. The first Aaron Rodgers-to-DK Metcalf completion of training camp — Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) July 24, 2025 If Tomlin didn't run such a physical training camp, maybe Warren wouldn't be here. As an undrafted rookie in 2022, Warren made a name for himself and carved out a niche in large part because of his outstanding pass-protection skills. Asked if Tomlin might hold the new RB1 back in these physical drills a bit because of his new place on the depth chart, Warren smiled. 'I hope not,' he quipped.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
4 things we've learned through 3 days of Steelers training camp
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had three training camp practices so far, and all the new pieces on this roster appear to be working well with the returning players. The Steelers have one practice cut short due to weather, and the heat has been brutal, but so far, so good on the injury front. Now the Steelers can turn some of their attention to preparing to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in their first preseason game of the year. Now that we've had a chance to dig into the team over the course of three practices, here are four things we've learned. The running game is going to be good Last season, the Steelers averaged 4.1 yards per carry that was among the worst in the NFL. We feel confident in saying that from what we've seen from Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren, this rushing attack is going to be far more dynamic and explsoive. Derrick Harmon is the real deal Depending on how things play out, the Steelers could have a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year contender in Harmon. So much of his game reminds us of Cameron Heyward but in a younger and more explsoive body. Jalen Ramsey still have plenty left in the tank It's been a while since the Steelers had a cornerback the caliber of Ramsey on the roster. Think Joe Haden when he first came over the the Browns. Just over the course of a few days, Ramsey has made his presence felt despite only spending one practice as an outside cornerback. Aaron Rodgers is still an unknown Unfortunately, training camp hasn't given us a great look at just what Rodgers can still do. He's making simple throws for the most part and under no real duress so it's hard to get a read on how much Rodgers has left physically or just how invested he is in the team. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Here are the big four things we have learned about the Steelers after three training camp practices.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson eager to prove he can do it all, blocking included
Kaleb Johnson isn't worried about what happens when the football is in his hands. That's always been the easy part. The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back has been doing this long enough to trust his talent and the instincts that made him an All-American at Iowa last fall. Yet the third-round pick understands that if he wants to get on the field regularly, he'll have to show coach Mike Tomlin and everyone else what he can do when the ball is elsewhere. Namely, standing in the backfield and doing what he can to use his sturdy 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame to create a little extra time for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pass protection wasn't a priority at Iowa, where passing is seemingly never a priority. Johnson piled up 1,537 yards rushing and 23 total touchdowns anyway as a junior in 2024, even though opponents almost always knew what was coming. Yet when Johnson met with Tomlin during Iowa's "Pro Day," Johnson didn't waste time trying to describe his method or his running style. Instead, he told the league's longest-tenured coach that if the Steelers drafted him, he was looking forward to the singularly violent "backs on backers" drill that is the annual highlight of the first day in pads during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Why? Johnson had done his homework. He scanned social media and found a video of Steelers third-year back Jaylen Warren — all of 5-foot-8 — lighting up a blitzing defender. "(The video) was hype," Johnson said. Johnson's message to Tomlin that day: draft me and I'll prove to you I can do the same thing. "I really want to show people what I can do," he said. The Steelers were convinced — both by Johnson's passion and the healthy amount of what Tomlin called "Sunday runs" (a Tomlin-ism for NFL-caliber) Johnson made against Big Ten defenses stacked to stop him — to take him with the 83rd overall pick in the draft. And while Johnson has broken off a handful of long runs during the opening days of camp this week, they've all come during what Tomlin not-so-lovingly describes as "football in shorts." The first real test of how ready Johnson is to compete for a starting job right away will come on Tuesday when Johnson has pads under his No. 20 jersey for the first time. That's when Tomlin will line one of Pittsburgh's star linebackers, maybe even T.J. Watt, currently the NFL's highest-paid defender, across from Johnson. On the whistle, the linebacker will attempt to go over, around, or through Johnson in an attempt to get to the quarterback. The one-on-one matchups give rookies on both sides of the ball a chance to make a memorable first impression. Asked if he expects Tomlin to send one of his "hitmen" at him to gauge his readiness, Johnson replied simply, "I know he is, and I'm ready for it." Hardly surprising, considering Johnson looked ready for pretty much anything during his three years at Iowa, where he displayed the kind of big-play ability — Johnson had more than 30 runs of 20 yards or more with the Hawkeyes — that Pittsburgh's rushing attack largely lacked during Najee Harris' steady (four straight 1,000-yard seasons) but rarely spectacular tenure. Johnson will be given every opportunity to play right away, as Harris was four years ago. Yet there is no rivalry building between Johnson and Warren, a former undrafted rookie free agent who has become an unlikely success story. Warren said Johnson's skill set "has got it all." Johnson, meanwhile, has praised Warren for showing him the "ins and outs" of picking up the blitz, something Warren has become so adept at that center Zach Frazier likened it to having another lineman on the field. While Tomlin frequently called Harris a "bell cow," the reality is that the Steelers split playing time pretty evenly between Harris and Warren a year ago. Harris was on the field for 50% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps. Warren was out there 40% of the time. Expect something similar in 2025, with veteran Kenneth Gainwell in the mix too after coming over from Philadelphia. Johnson is happy to simply be part of the group for now, though he wants to make it a point to prove to Tomlin that he's capable in any situation. "I feel like I'm an all-around back," he said. Starting Tuesday — with one of Tomlin's "hitmen" standing across from him — Johnson will get a chance to prove it. NOTES: Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center Maurkice Pouncey, and linebacker Joey Porter Jr. were selected to the club's Hall of Honor on Saturday by team president Art Rooney II. The trio will be officially inducted at Acrisure Stadium on Dec. 15 when the Steelers host Miami. ___ AP NFL:
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson eager to prove he can do it all, blocking included
LATROBE, Pa. — Kaleb Johnson isn't worried about what happens when the football is in his hands. That's always been the easy part. The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back has been doing this long enough to trust his talent and the instincts that made him an All-American at Iowa last fall. Yet the third-round pick understands that if he wants to get on the field regularly, he'll have to show coach Mike Tomlin and everyone else what he can do when the ball is elsewhere. Namely, standing in the backfield and doing what he can to use his sturdy 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame to create a little extra time for quarterback Aaron Rodgers . Pass protection wasn't a priority at Iowa, where passing is seemingly never a priority. Johnson piled up 1,537 yards rushing and 23 total touchdowns anyway as a junior in 2024, even though opponents almost always knew what was coming. Yet when Johnson met with Tomlin during Iowa's 'Pro Day,' Johnson didn't waste time trying to describe his method or his running style. Instead, he told the league's longest-tenured coach that if the Steelers drafted him, he was looking forward to the singularly violent 'backs on backers' drill that is the annual highlight of the first day in pads during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Why? Johnson had done his homework. He scanned social media and found a video of Steelers third-year back Jaylen Warren — all of 5-foot-8 — lighting up a blitzing defender. '(The video) was hype,' Johnson said. Johnson's message to Tomlin that day: draft me and I'll prove to you I can do the same thing. 'I really want to show people what I can do,' he said. The Steelers were convinced — both by Johnson's passion and the healthy amount of what Tomlin called 'Sunday runs' (a Tomlin-ism for NFL-caliber) Johnson made against Big Ten defenses stacked to stop him — to take him with the 83rd overall pick in the draft. And while Johnson has broken off a handful of long runs during the opening days of camp this week, they've all come during what Tomlin not-so-lovingly describes as 'football in shorts.' The first real test of how ready Johnson is to compete for a starting job right away will come on Tuesday when Johnson has pads under his No. 20 jersey for the first time. That's when Tomlin will line one of Pittsburgh's star linebackers, maybe even T.J. Watt, currently the NFL's highest-paid defender, across from Johnson. On the whistle, the linebacker will attempt to go over, around, or through Johnson in an attempt to get to the quarterback. The one-on-one matchups give rookies on both sides of the ball a chance to make a memorable first impression. Asked if he expects Tomlin to send one of his 'hitmen' at him to gauge his readiness, Johnson replied simply, 'I know he is, and I'm ready for it.' Hardly surprising, considering Johnson looked ready for pretty much anything during his three years at Iowa, where he displayed the kind of big-play ability — Johnson had more than 30 runs of 20 yards or more with the Hawkeyes — that Pittsburgh's rushing attack largely lacked during Najee Harris' steady (four straight 1,000-yard seasons) but rarely spectacular tenure. Johnson will be given every opportunity to play right away, as Harris was four years ago. Yet there is no rivalry building between Johnson and Warren, a former undrafted rookie free agent who has become an unlikely success story. Warren said Johnson's skill set 'has got it all.' Johnson, meanwhile, has praised Warren for showing him the 'ins and outs' of picking up the blitz, something Warren has become so adept at that center Zach Frazier likened it to having another lineman on the field. While Tomlin frequently called Harris a 'bell cow,' the reality is that the Steelers split playing time pretty evenly between Harris and Warren a year ago. Harris was on the field for 50% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps. Warren was out there 40% of the time. Expect something similar in 2025, with veteran Kenneth Gainwell in the mix too after coming over from Philadelphia. Johnson is happy to simply be part of the group for now, though he wants to make it a point to prove to Tomlin that he's capable in any situation. 'I feel like I'm an all-around back,' he said. Starting Tuesday — with one of Tomlin's 'hitmen' standing across from him — Johnson will get a chance to prove it. NOTES: Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, center Maurkice Pouncey, and linebacker Joey Porter Jr. were selected to the club's Hall of Honor on Saturday by team president Art Rooney II. The trio will be officially inducted at Acrisure Stadium on Dec. 15 when the Steelers host Miami. ___ AP NFL:
