The trade provides immediate backfield depth for Green Bay just moments before starting running back Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List following misdemeanor battery and property damage charges.
Green Bay Backfield Shuffles Following Josh Jacobs Roster Move
Green Bay added Johnson to the roster to secure backfield insurance as Josh Jacobs faces an uncertain playing status. According to The New York Times, the Brown County District Attorney formally charged Jacobs with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property.
The addition of Johnson allows the Packers to utilize a backfield-by-committee approach while Jacobs remains sidelined.
Pittsburgh Steelers Move On From 2025 Draft Pick
The trade ends a brief and underwhelming tenure for Johnson in Pittsburgh. According to The New York Times, the Steelers selected Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Iowa, expecting him to fit into Arthur Smith’s offense due to his experience in the program’s wide-zone rushing attack.
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Johnson finished his rookie campaign with 28 carries for 69 yards and zero touchdowns, failing to regain the coaching staff’s trust. His roster security slipped further during the preseason following Pittsburgh’s free-agent additions of Rico Dowdle and Travis Homer.
Roster Outlook and Next Steps
With roster cuts due at 6 p.m. ET on August 30, 2026, the Packers evaluated their running back room heading into the regular season. If Jacobs avoided suspension before the roster deadline, the team could have kept four running backs, according to The New York Times. Johnson brings a physical, 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame that thrives inside the tackles, offering a complementary skill set to Lloyd and Brooks in Green Bay’s offense.
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