Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson made a significant and ignominious mistake in his second career NFL game Sunday.
The Steelers lost 31-17 to the Seattle Seahawks, with Johnson's error playing a critical role in the outcome. After Seattle took a 17-14 lead early in the fourth quarter on a Jason Myers field goal, the ensuing kickoff skipped along the ground and threw the hands of Johnson, who was back as a kick returner.
The 2025 third-round pick let the ball scoot into the end zone, thinking that once it crossed the goal line, it would automatically be a touchback when downed.
However, that's not the way the NFL rules work. It's a free ball, and when Seattle recovered the ball in the end zone, the Seahawks scored one of the more bizarre touchdowns you'll ever see.
The Seahawks just recovered a kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown!
SEAvsPIT on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVntpic.twitter.com/0J1gEbqx4r
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
The reason Johnson's blunder cost his tea six points is because of the NFL's dynamic kickoff rules, which were introduced in 2024.
Dynamic kickoff, touchbacks explained
When the NFL moved to its dynamic kickoff format before the 2024 season, it was done with the intention of reducing touchbacks and increasing the number of kickoff returns around the league.
The full list of rules with the dynamic kickoff, including alignment, can be found here. But the kicking team's goal is to land the ball between the receiving team's goal line and its 20-yard line.
Any ball that lands in the landing zone must be returned, even if it goes into the end zone.
Any kick that hits and remains in the landing zone – must be returned
Any kick that hits in the landing zone and then goes into the end zone – must be returned or downed by receiving team – if downed then touchback to 20-yard line.
Here are the only ways touchbacks can be recorded.
Kick hits in end zone, stays inbounds - returned or downed – if downed then touchback to receiving team's 35-yard line
Any kick that goes out of the back of the end zone (in the air or bounces) – touchback to receiving team's 35-yard line
What Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said postgame?
Longtime Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a simple five-word response when asked about Johnson's mistake postgame.
"Poor judgment by a young player," Tomlin said.
We'll see how it impacts Johnson's playing time moving forward.
This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Sep 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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