Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson sends a warning to those who are doubting his speed.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers third-round rookie running back Kaleb Johnson fell down draft boards after running a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s heard the noise and has a warning for those who want to continue doubting his speed.
“My catching ability, my route running, really my speed,” Johnson said of what goes unnoticed in his game. “Last time I checked, I hit 22 miles per hour.”
Johnson is a bigger back, standing at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds. But he has proven to be more than capable of breaking off big runs during his three years at Iowa.
Last season, he reached 22 miles per hour per GPS measurements on field, which translates to a 40-yard dash in the 4.3s. Only a handful of NFL players have hit 22 mph, including new Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, and nobody is questioning his speed.
Johnson has the production to back it up, too. He had a breakout season in 2024, rushing for a career-high 1,537 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns. He also recorded 22 catches for 188 yards and two more scores.
The only question now is if Johnson can translate his play to the next level. However, he seems to have a good chance of doing just that as a workout freak.
The 21-year-old is simply focused on getting better every day, and that includes picking the brains of the other veterans in the room.
“Getting better one percent every day, learning from some of the older people like Jaylen Warren and Kenny Gainwell,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to keep working.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson Puts Doubters on Notice: ‘Last Time I Checked, I Hit 22 MPH’
