PITTSBURGH – When the Pittsburgh Steelers entered the season, much of the attention surrounded Desmond Ridder, the revamped receiving corps, and the defensive additions aimed at revitalizing the franchise. Yet five games into the year, with the Steelers sitting at a 2–3 record heading into the bye week, a new storyline has emerged as the defining force of the offense. A two headed monster is forming in the backfield, one that blends brute strength with finesse, raw power with explosive agility, and old school physicality with modern versatility.
The Steelers have found their identity again, and it rests on the shoulders of running backs Kaleb Johnson and Nate Carter. One is the thunder. One is the lightning. And together, they are becoming the heartbeat of the black and gold.
Kaleb Johnson: The Thunder That Shakes Defenses
Every once in a while, a young prospect arrives who changes the way a team plays overnight. Kaleb Johnson is that kind of player. Listed as a power back with size, acceleration, and a downhill running style, Johnson has already earned a reputation as one of the most punishing runners in the league.
Through five games, he has been the bruiser this offense desperately needed. His yards per carry are elite, and his ability to break tackles, push piles, and dominate between the tackles has reshaped the way the Steelers approach offensively. When Johnson carries the ball, the offense feels different. It feels heavier. It feels more physical. It feels like Steelers football.
But the story goes deeper than that. Johnson is not simply a battering ram. He has sneaky burst through the hole, surprising acceleration on cutbacks, and a sense of balance that allows him to bounce off defenders rather than fall backward. His long speed has already created multiple chunk gains that have forced opponents to treat him as more than just a short yardage option.
When Johnson checks in, defenses immediately feel tension. Safeties creep down. Linebackers tighten their alignments. Defensive lines brace for impact. His presence alone changes the geometry of a defense.
That is thunder.
And the beauty of thunder is that it sets the stage for something else entirely.
Nate Carter: The Lightning That Strikes From Anywhere
In contrast to Johnson’s power, Nate Carter brings a style that is smoother, shiftier, and more unpredictable. He is the kind of player who forces defenses to widen their pursuit angles and honor every blade of grass on the field. Carter is the lightning in this equation, sparking quick plays and big gains at moments when the offense needs a jolt.
Carter’s skill set is the definition of dual threat. As a runner, he is elusive and patient. As a receiver, he is dangerous, capable of turning a checkdown into a forty yard gain with a single broken tackle. He thrives in open space, slipping defenders with his footwork and finding creases others wouldn’t dare attempt.
This makes him invaluable in LaFleur’s offense. On outside zone, angle routes, screens, and option plays, Carter forces defenses to make uncomfortable choices. Bring extra bodies inside to stop Johnson, and Carter will burn you outside the numbers. Sit back in light boxes to prevent explosive plays, and Carter will slice through the defense with patient, efficient runs.
He is the kind of back who puts coordinators in conflict. And when paired with Johnson’s violent running style, it becomes nearly impossible for defenses to key in on what the Steelers are doing.
The Balance That Produces Both Power and Pace
A backfield duo only works when the two players complement one another. Pittsburgh’s pairing is exactly that. Johnson softens defenses with power. Carter exploits the fatigue and spacing mistakes that follow. Johnson forces defensive coordinators to load the box. Carter punishes those adjustments through the air or around the edge.
Defenders have said privately that preparing for this duo feels like preparing for two different offenses. Johnson forces physicality. Carter forces precision. Together, they create imbalance, hesitation, and confusion.
And the Steelers have begun leaning into the identity fully. In Week Five at Carolina, both backs delivered in different ways. Johnson bulldozed his way to a season high in rushing yards and showcased why he is becoming a centerpiece of this offense. Carter chipped in with efficient carries and helped keep the Panthers guessing with his versatility.
LaFleur has praised both backs for embracing their unique roles.
“They have different skill sets,” he said earlier in the week, “but they share one trait that matters most. They are relentless. They bring juice. And they give us flexibility to attack teams in multiple ways.”
A Foundation for the Future
What is most exciting for Pittsburgh is that this two headed monster is still in its early stages. Johnson is only scratching the surface of what he can become. Carter is adjusting seamlessly to a new role that accentuates his strengths. And the Steelers are discovering creative ways to use both in tandem.
There is potential for split back formations, motion packages, and dual threat looks that LaFleur has only hinted at. There are possibilities to line Carter wide and use Johnson as the sole back, to run misdirection concepts that create natural lanes, and to use both in the screen game. The ceiling is enormous.
But perhaps the most important factor is what this duo brings to the entire team. A strong run game stabilizes the offense. It protects Ridder. It keeps the defense fresh. It controls tempo. It travels well into hostile environments. It builds confidence. It creates identity.
This is the identity Pittsburgh has been craving.
The Path Ahead
With the Steelers coming out of the bye, the schedule will get tougher, the stakes will rise, and the margin for error will shrink. But having Johnson and Carter as the driving force of the offense provides something critical: an anchor.
The Steelers now have the ability to control games on the ground, win the physical battle, and set up the explosive passing attack that LaFleur has been building around Ridder, St. Brown, Metcalf, and Pierce.
Thunder and lightning. Power and finesse. Johnson and Carter.
This is the new heartbeat of the Steelers. And if this two headed monster continues to evolve, the rest of the league is about to feel the storm.
– Forged In Steel Times
