PITTSBURGH – Every season, the Premier Madden League witnesses the rise of a new star, a player who bursts onto the scene with such undeniable force that the league has no choice but to take notice. Some arrive quietly and build their legacy one brick at a time. Others announce themselves loudly, violently, and unmistakably. After the last two games, it is clear which category Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson belongs to.
He is not just an intriguing second-year back anymore. He is not a promising depth piece, nor a developmental runner waiting for his moment. Kaleb Johnson is officially a budding superstar, and the Steelers’ offense is beginning to revolve around him.
A Breakout in Real Time
For two straight weeks, Johnson has showcased everything a coach could possibly want from a starting running back. Power, balance, vision, acceleration, and the kind of physical dominance that sends defensive coordinators scrambling for answers. His Week Four performance offered a glimpse of his potential. His Week Five performance confirmed it.
Against Baltimore, Johnson put the league on notice with explosive play after explosive play. However, it was the matchup in Carolina that solidified him as one of the most feared young runners in the PML. He carried the ball 20 times for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns, breaking tackles, dragging defenders, and dominating the Panthers front seven with the confidence and poise of a seasoned veteran.
There was nothing fluky about it. Nothing lucky. Nothing that suggested a brief flash of brilliance. His performance was the result of elite traits meeting opportunity, preparation, and trust from the coaching staff.
A Skillset Built for Stardom
Johnson’s physical makeup is rare. He has the frame and power of a classic Steelers runner, the type that would have made Bill Cowher grin, while also boasting modern traits that make him fit seamlessly into DK LaFleur’s scheme.
What makes him special?
First, his power.
Johnson runs through contact with a violence that sets the tone for the entire offense. Linebackers who normally shoot their gaps with confidence begin to hesitate. Safeties who fly downhill suddenly brace for impact instead of attacking.
Second, his acceleration.
For a power back, Johnson’s burst is shocking. He hits the hole with suddenness, turning what should be three yard runs into seven yard gains. Once he reaches the second level, defensive backs learn quickly that taking him on in space is not a winning proposition.
Third, his balance and footwork.
This is where the great ones separate themselves. Johnson does not just run over defenders. He slips around them. He sidesteps lower tackles. He regains his base after contact. He absorbs hits without losing momentum.
Finally, his vision.
For a second-year guy, he reads blocks like a veteran. He patiently waits for creases, sets up his linemen, and finds space even when defenses stack the box.
These traits do not belong to a role player. They belong to a franchise-altering runner.
The Moment the Steelers Realized What They Had
When Johnson was drafted, the expectation was that he would complement Jaylen Warren in short yardage situations. But the moment he touched the ball in meaningful action, coaches and teammates saw something different.
The turning point came in practice, when Johnson ran through three defenders on an inside zone rep that LaFleur said “looked like something straight out of a highlight tape.” His teammates erupted, and the coaching staff took immediate note.
Since then, Johnson has done nothing but validate the hype.
The Perfect Complement to Nate Carter
While Johnson’s emergence is grabbing headlines, his partnership with Nate Carter is equally important. Carter remains the more elusive, dynamic, and versatile option, capable of lining up wide, catching passes, and slicing through defenses with agility. The duo creates a one two punch that has the potential to become one of the most dangerous backfield tandems in the league.
Carter softens defenses horizontally. Johnson punishes them vertically.
Carter forces defensive backs into space. Johnson forces linebackers into collisions.
Carter breaks ankles. Johnson breaks spirits.
Together, they create balance. And balance creates problems.
A New Foundation for the Offense
Steelers fans have been asking for a reliable ground game for seasons, and the answer has arrived wearing number 23. With Johnson’s rise, the offense now has a new anchor. When he is on the field, the offensive line plays more confidently. The play action game becomes more lethal. Ridder faces lighter coverage shells. Defenders get tired. Clocks get controlled. Games get shortened.
LaFleur has always believed in a flexible, matchup based offensive approach. But with Johnson emerging as a star, the Steelers now have a foundational identity to lean on when the passing game struggles or when the team needs to take control of a matchup physically.
Teammates Already See the Stardom Coming
Veterans on the team have already begun speaking about Johnson with reverence.
Amon Ra St. Brown called him “an absolute problem for defenses.” T.J. Watt said Johnson practices the same way he plays: “full speed, no fear, pure physicality.” Nate Carter praised him as “the kind of dude who makes you raise your own game.”
Respect like that does not come easily. Johnson has earned every word.
The Next Step Toward Greatness
Superstars are defined not just by talent, but by consistency. Johnson has shown he can dominate. The next step is doing it week after week, against defenses who are now building game plans specifically for him.
That is the challenge. That is the gauntlet. And based on his trajectory, Johnson appears ready to accept it.
The Steelers Have Found Something Special
In the last two weeks, Kaleb Johnson has gone from a promising back to a player who demands attention every time he touches the ball. He provides energy, identity, and dominance in a way few young backs can.
A budding superstar is emerging in Pittsburgh.
And if the league is not ready, they better get ready fast.
– Forged In Steel Times
