Kaleb Johnson kickoff: Pittsburgh is pressing pause on rookie running back Kaleb Johnson’s kick-return duties after his costly Week 2 error. Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that Johnson won’t be returning kickoffs “in the short term,” framing the move as accountability now with a path to win the job back through practice and preparation. The staff remains high on Johnson’s talent and work ethic, but wants steadier decision-making on special teams before reinstating him.
What happened in Week 2
Early in the fourth quarter against Seattle, a Kaleb Johnson kickoff bounced in front of Johnson near the goal line and skipped into the end zone. Johnson hesitated, appearing to expect a routine touchback, while Seattle kept playing. A Seahawks coverage player dove on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown, flipping the game’s momentum and stretching the gap to two scores. Pittsburgh went on to lose 31–17.
Why the ball was live under the new rule
The NFL’s dynamic kickoff rules changed the geometry and responsibilities on these plays:
- The landing zone is the area from the goal line to the 20-yard line.
- If a kick hits in the landing zone and then goes into the end zone, the return team must either return it or down it.
- If it’s downed in the end zone after first touching the landing zone, it’s a touchback to the 20.
- If a kick lands directly in the end zone and is downed (or goes out the back), the touchback spot is the 35.
Because the ball first hit in the landing zone before crossing into the end zone, it stayed live until Pittsburgh secured it. Failing to do so allowed Seattle to recover for a touchdown—exactly the kind of live-ball outcome the league anticipated when it reshaped kickoffs to promote more returns and more football plays.
Tomlin’s tone: reset, not exile
Tomlin didn’t bury the rookie. He emphasized that Johnson will get a chance to earn the role back by stacking clean reps and demonstrating situational awareness in meetings and on the practice field. In short: the Steelers are protecting possessions now, while leaving the door open for a second audition once trust is reestablished.
Who’s next at kick returner?
Pittsburgh pivoted in-game after the mistake and has internal options while Johnson resets:
- Kenneth Gainwell: the most straightforward plug-in, with experience fielding kicks and the skill set to secure the ball first and get north-south.
- Roman Wilson: a speedy rookie wideout who handled return work at lower levels and adds a vertical threat if the staff wants a burst play.
- Depth/rotation: the Steelers can audition others during the practice week to build redundancy and choose based on opponent tendencies.
Don’t expect hero-ball. With the new rules tilting more kickoffs into live territory, the priority will be certainty first, yards second—fair catches aren’t part of this play anymore, so judgment and communication are everything.
What the Steelers will tweak on teams
- Situational alerts: Emphasis on “landing-zone” language so the returner and front line react the same way when the ball takes a weird hop near the goal line.
- Ball-first coaching: Secure it, then decide. The staff will reinforce that the safest touchback requires downing the ball in the end zone after a landing-zone bounce—letting it roll is not an option.
- Return menu: Expect more scripted calls (designed returns vs. kills) based on kicker tendencies and coverage speed.
What this means for Johnson
This is a short-term reset, not a referendum on his rookie season. Johnson still profiles as a useful contributor on offense and special teams; he just needs to rebuild trust in the most unforgiving phase of the game. If he logs a clean week and demonstrates command of the rule nuances, he can work his way back onto the unit.
Big-picture takeaway
The play was a perfect example of how the reimagined kickoff magnifies awareness. For teams, special teams miscues now swing games even more than before; for returners, the margin between a touchback and a touchdown going the other way can be a split-second choice. Pittsburgh is choosing stability while the rookie regroups—and leaving room for a comeback once the details are nailed.
