Mike Tomlin Sends Strong Locker Room Message After Kaleb Johnson’s Blunder as Steelers HC Gives Up on RB Steelers HC Mike Tomlin warns his players to be ready for competition as Kaleb Johnson's mistak

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson ’s NFL debut heartbreak came in a blink. In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks , a single misstep on a kickoff turned into a costly touchdown, swinging momentum and ultimately contributing to Pittsburgh’s 31-17 loss.

Johnson, tasked with fielding a pivotal kickoff late in the fourth quarter, mishandled the ball under the new NFL rules. As it bounced toward him, he failed to secure it, and Seahawks special teamer George Holani pounced, diving on the ball in the end zone for a rare touchdown. What should have been a routine play became a painful rookie lesson, one that head coach Mike Tomlin said “ was just poor judgment from a young player.”

Tomlin, speaking with Bob Pompeani on the September 20 episode of The Mike Tomlin Show ,