Kaleb Johnson has been traded to the Green Bay Packers. The 2025 third-round pick thanked the Steelers on his Instagram story and acknowledged the move to Green Bay. The trade gives Johnson an opportunity to compete for a larger role and provides Green Bay another option as it sorts an unsettled backfield.
A new chapter for Johnson
The Packers acquired Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers as NFL rosters were finalized ahead of the regular season. The deal was reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN and Tom Pelissero of The Ringer; terms were not immediately disclosed.
Johnson, selected 83rd overall in the 2025 draft, acknowledged the move and thanked the Steelers in an Instagram story. The trade ends a brief stay in Pittsburgh and represents a clear change of scenery for the young player.
Packers add depth as Josh Jacobs faces uncertainty
The timing of the acquisition comes as the Packers cope with the absence and uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs. Jacobs has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, and his attorney issued a statement saying, "Josh Jacobs has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which is an administrative procedure used by the NFL while a matter is being reviewed."
Those developments create an immediate need for Green Bay to add depth. The team also released Pierre Strong Jr. in its latest roster moves, opening further room on the roster that Johnson can occupy.
Kbur projected that Johnson's arrival could give him an opportunity to compete for a larger role in Green Bay's backfield, noting MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks are among the other players in the mix. The trade injects competition into a group that now must absorb both roster attrition and the administrative absence of Jacobs.
The transaction arrives with limited public detail on compensation or the Packers' short-term plan for Johnson. What is clear is that Green Bay has moved decisively to add another option while navigating a complicated opening-week roster picture.
For Johnson, the trade is a straightforward reset: a chance to reestablish himself after a one-year tenure in Pittsburgh and to battle for opportunities in a Packers backfield that suddenly looks different than it did a week ago.
