The Green Bay Packers are acquiring running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2028 sixth-round pick, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Pittsburgh selected Johnson in the third round of the 2025 draft. He rushed for a Big Ten-leading 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in his final season at Iowa. However, he underwhelmed in his rookie campaign with the Steelers, recording just 69 yards on 28 carries.
The 23-year-old will step into a Packers running back room that includes Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd. The NFL placed Jacobs on indefinite paid leave Sunday while he faces two misdemeanor charges stemming from what police described as a physical confrontation with his girlfriend.
Lloyd, 25, was taken in the third round of the 2024 draft. He has since battled multiple injuries, which have limited him to one career appearance. Lloyd is now healthy, though, and played in two preseason games this August.
Pittsburgh is projected to split carries between Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle to start the season. Dowdle signed a two-year, $12.25-million contract in free agency after rushing for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers last year.
