Former Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson is getting a fresh start in the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded Johnson to the Green Bay Packers, bringing an unexpected end to his time in Pittsburgh after just one season. The move comes as NFL teams finalize their rosters ahead of the regular season, giving Johnson an opportunity to restart his professional career in a completely different environment.
Green Bay acquired Johnson in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round draft pick, according to the Packers. The deal could prove to be an intriguing move for both teams, particularly because Johnson entered the league with considerably higher expectations after his outstanding final season at Iowa.
Johnson was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 83rd overall pick. At Iowa, he had established himself as one of the most productive running backs in college football, finishing the 2024 season with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries.
He also earned first-team All-America recognition and first-team All-Big Ten honors, making his selection by the Steelers seem like a natural next step for a player who had shown an impressive combination of size, speed and power.
Unfortunately, Johnson’s rookie season did not unfold the way many expected.
The former Hawkeye appeared in 10 games for Pittsburgh but received only 28 rushing attempts. Those carries produced 69 yards, giving him an average of 2.5 yards per attempt. He also caught one pass for nine yards and contributed on kickoff returns, recording 190 yards on eight attempts.
That limited opportunity made it difficult for Johnson to establish any rhythm.
Now, he gets another chance.
The Packers’ decision to bring Johnson aboard is particularly interesting because Green Bay needs additional depth in its backfield. The team recently placed running back Josh Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list, leaving uncertainty surrounding his availability as the season approaches.
Rather than simply waiting for the situation to develop, Green Bay acted quickly and added another young running back with significant upside.
For Johnson, the timing could not be much better.
A change of scenery gives him a chance to put his disappointing rookie season behind him. He will enter Green Bay with something to prove, and that motivation could become one of the most important factors in determining how his second NFL season develops.
There is also reason for optimism when looking back at what Johnson accomplished at Iowa.
During his final college season, he showed that he could handle a substantial workload while consistently finding the end zone. His 21 rushing touchdowns demonstrated his ability to finish drives, while his 1,537 yards showed that he could remain productive over an entire season.
Those numbers did not disappear simply because his first NFL season was difficult.
The biggest question now is whether Green Bay can find the right role for him.
Johnson does not need to immediately become the centerpiece of the Packers’ offense. Instead, he can focus on earning opportunities, learning the system and showing the coaching staff that the player who dominated at Iowa is still there.
For Steelers fans, the trade represents the end of a disappointing chapter involving a player who once appeared to have significant potential.
For Johnson, however, it may represent something much more important: a second chance.
He now has a new locker room, a new coaching environment and a new opportunity to establish himself in the NFL.
The Packers clearly saw enough potential to make the move, and Johnson will have the chance to prove that his rookie struggles were only a temporary setback.
Iowa fans will certainly be watching closely.
The former Hawkeye has already shown what he can do when given the opportunity. Now, the challenge is turning that college production into consistent NFL success.
His Steelers chapter is over.
His Packers story is just beginning.
