Darius Slay reveals words with Steelers’ Kaleb Johnson after crucial fumble, ‘talk less…’

Darius Slay told Pittsburgh Steelers’ Kaleb Johnson to ‘not let that play define’ him

After a massive offseason of investment from the Pittsburgh Steelers, including the addition of Darius Slay, they were not expected to concede 63 points in two games.

Kaleb Johnson’s crucial fumble on the kickoff return made a 10-point swing into a 17-point swing almost instantaneously. Darius Slay only had words of encouragement for the youngster, as he explained:

Speaking on the Richard Sherman podcast, Slay said, “That’s a young kid. You know, of course, we’re going to hold him accountable. You know what I’m saying?

“But, hey, we all make mistakes. We’ve never been perfect. None of us has been. I made plenty of mistakes as a rookie when I was young. He made one.

“I talked to him, because he’s my little young guy. Don’t let that play define who you are. You know what I’m saying? Because of a play like that, in this type of city, definitely with this type of environment.

“This type of standard this team has, this organization has, that can ruin a kid’s career. You know, just because they can always remember to play it back.

“‘You’re a young kid, very talented. So hopefully he put that behind him. And I told him that. The team told him, ‘Talk less.’ Don’t talk about it anymore. Don’t even bring it up anymore.

“They ask about it, just, hey, I’m on to bigger and better things, man. I’m going to try to do better, you know, be ready, prepared for my teammates.

“So he’s doing good. But I told him, man, keep your head on your shoulders because it’s tough. That was tough to see, tough to be a part of.”

What’s next for Kaleb Johnson at the Pittsburgh Steelers after that fumble

A mistake like the one Kaleb Johnson made can have strong consequences in the NFL, depending on the head coach, regardless of his being a rookie.

Luckily for Johnson, he is playing under the longest-serving head coach in the league, Mike Tomlin, and he is not known for being unforgiving.

Tomlin is not like the great Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson, who once cut running back Curvin Richards because of two fumbles in a meaningless clash against the Chicago Bears, the very next day.

Unfortunately for Johnson (the rookie), he is playing in an offense that has a total of 125 rushing yards over two games. He has accounted for -1 of those yards.

The Steelers have a lot more problems than initially anticipated entering the season, and developing a rookie running back is not their number one priority.

As per Tomlin, ahead of the Week 3 game against the New England Patriots, Johnson will ‘probably not’ return kicks in the short term.