Mike Tomlin’s new weapon in Pittsburgh makes bold comparison to Ravens star Derrick Henry

Mike Tomlin will once again be in charge of leading his Pittsburgh Steelers, as they aim to make another run at the Super Bowl. The recent draft served as a major opportunity to add a new weapon to the offense — a player who didn’t hesitate to compare himself to talents like Derrick Henry, the Baltimore Ravens star.

Selected in the third round with the 83rd overall pick, Kaleb Williams took a major step in his career by becoming the newest addition to the Steelers. The explosive RB, who played his final college season at Iowa, built a strong relationship with Henry and didn’t shy away from comparing himself to the Ravens star as he looks ahead to what’s next.

“I feel like I’m a versatile back. I could be a Derrick Henry back, or I could be a Dalvin Cook back,” Johnson recently told the team’s official website. “And I feel like that’s what separates me from a lot of backs in the league and in this class that I came into because I just feel like, you know, overall. I feel like I’m a fast back, and I could be a strong back, also catch the ball in the backfield and be reliable.”

His words are backed up by the incredible numbers he posted in his final season with the Hawkeyes: In 12 games in 2024, the top back rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries.

Kaleb Johnson #RB16 of Iowa participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The relationship between Derrick Henry and Kaleb Johnson

Henry and Johnson have built a relationship that goes beyond football, despite sharing the same position on the field and having the potential to help each other improve. In recent comments to the media, the former Iowa standout revealed how impactful the words of the Ravens star have been in helping him take this next step in his career.

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“I’ve been texting him and he’s been texting me. He’s been very motivating and really just telling me the ins and outs of the league and stuff like that. So, that was very exciting,” Johnson said of Henry.

He was also asked about what Henry thought of his arrival to a direct rival like the Steelers, but Johnson made it clear he didn’t have an answer to that: “I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him since.”

The big chance for Johnson

His standout season with the Hawkeyes in the NCAAF caught the attention of the Steelers, making this opportunity a significant responsibility for Johnson. The running back has expressed excitement about this new step in his career.

“It’s really grateful because I feel like it relates to the Big Ten and what I played in,” he said. “So, I feel like I’m really used to the smashmouth, you know, running the ball football. I’m really excited to get to work and really excited to be a part of this organization.”