Packers Acquire Kaleb Johnson in Trade With Steelers
The Green Bay Packers acquired running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2028 sixth-round pick ahead of NFL roster cutdowns.
On August 30, 2026, the Green Bay Packers acquired running back Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round draft pick. The transaction occurred on the NFL's final roster cutdown deadline, providing Green Bay with immediate backfield insurance as starter Josh Jacobs navigates off-field legal troubles.
Backfield Uncertainty Drives Roster Deadline Deal
The trade addresses an urgent roster need for Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur. Jacobs faces two misdemeanor charges stemming from a May incident, leaving him at risk of league discipline or placement on the NFL Commissioner Exempt list. According to reporting confirmed by ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler and Packers beat writer Tom Silverstein, Green Bay surrendered its own 2028 sixth-round selection to secure Johnson's rights before he could hit the waiver wire.
“Appreciate it Steelers Nation. Let's do it Packers.”
— Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers Running Back
From Iowa All-American to Pittsburgh Outcast
Johnson entered the NFL as a high-upside prospect after a historic 2024 campaign with the Iowa Hawkeyes. A consensus first-team All-American and Doak Walker Award finalist, he set Iowa single-season records with 21 rushing touchdowns and 1,537 rushing yards. Pittsburgh selected Johnson with the 83rd overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to fit former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's outside-zone scheme.
However, Johnson struggled to find traction in Pittsburgh's rotation. During his 2025 rookie season, he recorded just 28 carries for 69 yards across 10 games. A critical Week 2 kickoff miscue against the Seattle Seahawks—where he allowed a live ball to roll past him for a Seattle touchdown recovery—cost him his kick return duties and diminished his standing on the depth chart.
Steelers Roster Realignment & Financial Terms
By trading Johnson rather than waiving him outright, Pittsburgh salvaged future draft capital while accelerating a broader roster overhaul. The move leaves the Steelers with a dead money cap hit of $318,557 in 2026 and $637,114 in 2027. It marks Pittsburgh's second major pre-cutdown trade after sending offensive tackle Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys.
- Trade Compensation: Green Bay trades a 2028 6th-round pick to Pittsburgh for Kaleb Johnson.
- Insurance Policy: Johnson adds depth alongside MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks amid Josh Jacobs' legal status.
- Steelers Salary Cap: Pittsburgh absorbs dead money charges in 2026 ($318k) and 2027 ($637k) after parting with their 2025 3rd-round pick.
In Green Bay, Johnson gets a fresh start in a zone-heavy system tailored to his physical running style. If Jacobs missed time during the upcoming season, Johnson will compete directly with MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks for primary backfield touches.
Will Kaleb Johnson revive his career with the Green Bay Packers?
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The Green Bay Packers sent their own 2028 sixth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Kaleb Johnson.
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