Background on the position battle
The Steelers addressed the backfield depth with a two-year, $12.25 million contract for Rico Dowdle, who joined from the Dallas Cowboys and previously played for the Carolina Panthers. Dowdle adds a bruising element to the backfield, and Jaylen Warren is expected to serve as the primary receiving option out of the backfield, maintaining a role as the team’s top feature back.
With Dowdle and Warren occupying the top two spots on the depth chart, the competition centers on the third running back. Johnson, currently listed in the depth chart’s third spot, has not made a strong case through the preseason. In the opening exhibition, he managed three yards on two carries against the Green Bay Packers. In the subsequent game against the New York Jets, he totaled 39 yards on 10 carries, with a long gain of no more than five yards on a single run.
Special teams could be a decisive factor
Coaches often weigh a back’s ability to contribute on special teams when determining the final roster. Veterans like Travis Homer have substantial return experience, while a rookie such as Eli Heidenreich is also in the mix as a potential kick returner. Johnson, however, has shown limitations in this area, a consideration that could influence a final decision given the roster needs and the value teams place on versatile special-teams players.
Lew Nichols’ strong preseason case
Another running back in the mix, Lew Nichols, has stood out during the exhibition slate. Nichols has been one of the Steelers’ most productive runners in the preseason, delivering multiple impactful runs and standing as the club’s most notable traditional rushing threat among the group competing for the third spot. Nichols spent the bulk of the 2025 season on the Steelers’ practice squad, and he made his NFL debut in Week 9 of the prior season. He contributed on special teams in that debut, but has not yet recorded a carry in regular-season action. His preseason production has given him a compelling case to be carried on the 53-man roster or at least to be kept as a valuable practice-squad option.
What to watch in the finale
– Johnson’s performance: A standout game against Buffalo could help him overcome limited production to date, though it would likely need to be complemented by strong special-teams contributions.
– Nichols’ usage: If Nichols continues to produce, he could pressure the team to keep him as a third-back option, or at minimum to appear on the active roster given his playmaking potential.
– Special teams evaluation: The ability to contribute as a returner or on coverage units could swing the decision in favor of a back with stronger special-teams value.
In summary, the Steelers’ final decisions at running back are likely to hinge on a combination of rushing production, versatility in the kicking game, and the coaching staff’s comfort level with each player’s overall contribution. With Dowdle and Warren firmly established, the competition for the third back remains open, and Kaleb Johnson faces a tall task to secure a spot. The preseason conclusion against the Bills will be the last major opportunity to make that final impression.
