Iowa-Bred Running Back Kaleb Johnson Returns Home to Bolster Packers' Shaken Backfield

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers are turning to a familiar name from the Hawkeye State to help stabilize a running back room suddenly in flux. Kaleb Johnson, the former Iowa standout acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, is back in the Midwest and ready to make an immediate impact as the Packers prepare for their Sept. 13 season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Johnson arrives at a critical moment. The Packers will open the season without their top running back, Josh Jacobs, who is on the commissioner exempt list while his legal situation plays out. That leaves Johnson, third-year back MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and practice squad member Pierre Strong Jr. as the options in the backfield.

Why the Packers traded for Kaleb Johnson

The Packers sent a 2028 sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh to bring Johnson to Green Bay. It's a modest price for a player the organization has tracked since his college days at Iowa.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Johnson was a player the Packers liked coming out of Iowa, and the coaching staff has a direct line to his development. Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester spent a season on LaFleur's staff in Green Bay before heading to the Hawkeyes, giving the Packers inside knowledge of Johnson's strengths.

“Kaleb's a guy that we really liked coming out of Iowa,” LaFleur said. “I've talked to Tim Lester about him a little bit. Certainly I think he's really good at the outside zone stuff. He's a young, talented player.”

Johnson's college production at Iowa was impressive. He rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior in 2024, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors before declaring for the NFL draft. The Packers believe his experience in a similar zone-blocking scheme will speed up his transition.

“We're excited to get him in here and certainly he's got a lot to learn in terms of how we go about everything and from a schematic standpoint, making sure he's dialed in, not only in our run game but obviously in the passing game, as well, whether it's protections or his route assignment,” LaFleur said.

What can Packers expect from Johnson as a rookie?

Johnson's rookie season in Pittsburgh was limited. He carried the ball 28 times and saw most of his action on special teams. His most memorable moment was not a good one: a botched kickoff return in Week 2 when he let a live ball bounce past him into the end zone, where the Seahawks recovered it for a touchdown.

Still, the Packers see a player with untapped potential who fits their offensive scheme. Johnson's ability to run the outside zone, a staple of the Packers' attack, makes him a natural fit.

The bigger question is how the Packers will divide carries. Lloyd, a former third-round pick, has played in just one game over two NFL seasons due to injuries. He made it through training camp healthy, which LaFleur acknowledged as a positive, but the team is unlikely to hand him a Jacobs-sized workload.

“That's to be determined,” LaFleur said of Lloyd's role. “Who knows? I couldn't tell you right now, so we'll see how he's feeling. He's had a really steady camp. I think he did an outstanding job. Obviously his availability has been critical and we'll just see how it goes.”

Packers add two new tight ends in a busy week

Johnson wasn't the only new face at practice Tuesday. The Packers also added tight ends Jonnu Smith and Mark Redman, giving the position group a significant overhaul just days before the season begins.

Smith, a veteran who spent last season with the Steelers, signed with Green Bay on Thursday. He has a prior connection to LaFleur, who was his offensive coordinator in Tennessee in 2018. Smith said that familiarity played a role in his decision to join the Packers.

“I only had him that one year and, obviously, he was able to know my talents and my capabilities and my abilities,” Smith said. “I was kind of in this system that he's established offensively for a while now in my career. So that also played into account of my decision of coming here.”

Redman, acquired Sunday from the Los Angeles Rams for a 2028 seventh-round pick, also has ties to the Packers' offensive system. Rams coach Sean McVay and LaFleur are close friends who run similar offenses, and Redman said the transition has been smoother than expected.

“Got here and [tight ends coach John Dunn] started talking about the offense and I was like, 'wait, I know that play [and] I know that play,'” Redman said. “Obviously there's going to be some new stuff, but whatever package they're going to use me in and getting my hand in the dirt, a lot of its carry over, so it's pretty nice to be able to go out there and play Day 1. Super helpful.”

Tucker Kraft will play despite contract uncertainty

The Packers still have starting tight end Tucker Kraft, though he will be on a snap limit as he works his way back from a torn ACL suffered Nov. 2. Kraft and the Packers have been in contract extension talks but have not reached a deal before Week 1.

Kraft made it clear Tuesday that his contract status will not affect his availability.

“I will be on the field to play for the Green Bay Packers, regardless of any contract situation, because I love this team,” Kraft said.

What this means for the Packers' season opener

The Packers face a tough test in Week 1 against the Vikings in Minnesota. With Jacobs unavailable and several new faces still learning the playbook, the offense may lean on its established stars while the newcomers get up to speed.

LaFleur said the coaching staff will need to figure out how quickly the trio can contribute. None of the three will be asked to carry the offense, but all could see meaningful snaps depending on how quickly they adapt.

For Johnson, the homecoming to the Midwest represents a fresh start and a chance to prove he belongs. For the Packers, it's a low-risk bet on a player with proven college production and a scheme fit that makes sense.

The next few days of practice will determine just how much the new additions can help when the games count.

Frequently asked questions about the Packers' new additions

Why did the Packers trade for Kaleb Johnson?

The Packers acquired Johnson from the Steelers for a 2028 sixth-round pick to add depth at running back after Josh Jacobs was placed on the commissioner exempt list. Johnson's experience in Iowa's zone-blocking scheme, similar to what Green Bay runs, made him an attractive target.

Will Tucker Kraft play in Week 1 despite his contract situation?

Yes. Kraft said he will play regardless of whether a contract extension is finalized, though he will be on a snap limit as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in November.

How much playing time can the new tight ends expect?

Jonnu Smith and Mark Redman will likely split snaps behind starter Tucker Kraft. Both have experience in similar offensive systems, which should help them contribute early in the season.