Steelers-Bengals rumors opens up possibility of rare in-division trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
According to a new rumor, there is a possibility the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals could pull off a trade.
The rumor comes from Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, who writes that the Bengals have interest in Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson.
Fillipponi adds that the Bengals would like to claim Johnson if he's cut, and they might even seek a trade with their division rival.
"Rumor: The Bengals are eyeing Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson. If he’s cut. And could possibly try trading for the 3rd round bust RB," Fillipponi writes.
"Cincinnati has very little depth behind Chase Brown. And really liked Johnson in the 2025 NFL Draft. He went to Cincy for a draft visit," he added.
It's true the Bengals have a shaky depth situation at running back.
While Chase Brown and Samaje Perine are a solid one-two punch, there is little security behind those two with guys like Tahj Brooks, Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton, Jamal Haynes and Kentrel Bullock.
Will Steelers cut Kaleb Johnson?After a very disappointing rookie season in which Johnson barely played, things haven't looked any better for him in 2026.
Johnson has no path to work with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle atop the depth chart, and he has been working behind Travis Homer and even Lew Nichols in preseason play.
As a result, it's very possible we could see Johnson get the boot just one season after he was drafted in the third round by Pittsburgh.
Whether or not the Steelers would be willing to send him to another team in the division remains to be seen, though.
Johnson's status as a recent third-round pick makes him a candidate to be claimed and it's quite possible someone will grab him before the Bengals have a chance to in that scenario.
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