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Steelers Bench Rookie Kaleb Johnson From Kickoffs After Seahawks Disaster

Mike Tomlin: Steelers head coach walks out of postgame news conference  after contract question following playoff loss | CNN

Pittsburgh, PA – September 16, 2025

The fallout from Sunday’s 17–31 loss to the Seattle Seahawks continues to ripple through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room. Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that rookie running back Kaleb Johnson “probably” will not be returning kickoffs in Week 3 following his special teams blunder that gifted Seattle a touchdown.

The play in question came in the second quarter, when Johnson muffed a kickoff deep inside Pittsburgh’s territory. The ball slipped into the end zone, where Seahawks running back George Holani (#36) pounced for a stunning touchdown. The miscue flipped momentum immediately and left Acrisure Stadium in shock.

Tomlin did not hide his frustration in his weekly press conference.

“At this level, mistakes on special teams are magnified. We can’t afford to hand our opponents points. Kaleb’s got talent, but right now, he needs to get back to fundamentals before we trust him in that role again,” Tomlin said.

Johnson, drafted in the third round earlier this year, was expected to add depth to the running back room and contribute on special teams. Instead, his early struggles have put him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Sources within the team say Pittsburgh is now preparing to rotate in other returners — potentially Calvin Austin III or Anthony McFarland Jr. — to stabilize kickoff duties.

For Johnson, the setback is harsh but not uncommon for a rookie. For Tomlin and the Steelers, however, the margin for error is razor-thin after an 0–2 start in the brutal AFC North. Week 3 may mark a turning point — not just for the team, but for a rookie still searching for his footing under the brightest lights.

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Buffalo Bills Become First NFL Team to Launch 3-Year Support Program for Released Players
Buffalo, NY – October 5, 2025 In a groundbreaking move that could reshape how the NFL cares for its athletes, the Buffalo Bills have officially launched the league’s first-ever support program dedicated to players who have been released or are no longer able to continue their football careers. The initiative, announced on Saturday, aims to provide career transition guidance, monthly financial support, and mental health counseling for young players leaving the Bills’ academy system or those cut from the main roster. The program will run for three years, giving participants a stable foundation as they begin new lives beyond football. According to team sources, the monthly allowance will cover basic living costs and educational expenses, ensuring that players can focus on retraining and personal growth instead of financial struggle. A Bills spokesperson said the decision reflects the organization’s long-term commitment to human development, not just athletic success. “Football ends for everyone at some point — but life doesn’t. This program is our promise that every player who wore a Bills uniform will never walk alone.” NFL analysts have called the Bills’ move “a model of compassion and leadership”, noting that it sets a precedent other teams will be pressured to follow. The program also includes workshops on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career coaching, helping former players reintegrate into society with purpose and stability. For a franchise known for its heart and community values, this initiative marks another powerful statement. The Buffalo Bills aren’t just building champions on the field — they’re shaping lives beyond it.