Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst opened up about the trade for Kaleb Johnson.
The Green Bay Packers made a major move to acquire running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers after star running back Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List.
Johnson will play a key role in the Packers' offense alongside MarShawn Lloyd in the backfield in Jacobs' absence.
Johnson had a rough rookie year with the Steelers, rushing for 69 yards on 28 carries and catching one pass for nine yards.
He did not play at the level he did in the 2024 season at Iowa, where he was an All-American, rushing for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns along with 22 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
"Excited to get Kaleb in here. Young player with huge upside ... He comes from a very strong program. He had a lot of success there. There's some similar scheme stuff, a lot of outside-zone," general manager Brian Gutekunst said.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectWith a new opportunity and system, Johnson will look to return to the player he was at Iowa. The Steelers selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft, but he didn't have a major role after struggling early in his rookie campaign.
Lloyd is likely to be the starting running back for the Packers, but he has struggled to stay healthy in his first two seasons in the league, appearing in only one game. Johnson will be a key running back alongside Lloyd, leading the run game.
Green Bay will lean heavily on the passing attack, with Jordan Love, as Lloyd and Johnson are unproven in the NFL.
The Packers have a plethora of weapons in the passing game with Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft leading the way. Although Love and the passing game will lead the way, Green Bay will need the run game to play well, as they can't pass it on every down.
The Packers are in their Super Bowl window, which makes the loss of Jacobs difficult for the roster. If Johnson can make a leap from his rookie year and become an impactful rusher, this will go down as a steal of a trade for Gutekunst and the front office.
