McCarthy Backs Johnson for Steelers' Third-Down Role

0:00It's March 31st. This is NFL News today, AI-powered story shaping the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers have struck out lately on 3rd round skill players. They took wide receiver Roman Wilson in the 2024 draft out of Michigan, and he's got just 12 catches over his first two seasons. Then last year, they grabbed running back Caleb Johnson from Iowa in the 3rd round, who managed only 28 carries for 69 yards as a rookie. At the NFL owners meetings this week, New Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke up about Johnson and showed real faith in the kid. McCarthy knows about that rough special team's plague in Seattle in week 2, but he calls Johnson a young guy with big draft value who needs to. Step up as a three down back and special teamer. He's pushing for a fresh start, comparing it to wiping the slate clean after a confession so they can all move forward. The team signed two-time thousand-yard Russia Rico Doudal and free agency to team with Jalen Warren up front, leaving Johnson 3rd on the depth chart.

1:01By last year, but with McCarthy's backing, he might climb if he answers the challenge.