After the Pittsburgh Steelers changed departed operating again Najee Harris with third-round choose Kaleb Johnson, it was considerably anticipated to be a passing of the torch within the workforce’s backfield.
A 1,500-yard rusher in his junior season with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Johnson gave the impression to be primed for a serious function in Pittsburgh’s backfield. In spite of everything, the Steelers haven’t got a single again who has taken notable beginning reps on the roster.
Relatively than solidify his standing as Pittsburgh’s RB1 within the preseason, although, Johnson has seemingly stumbled down the depth chart. In the meantime, fourth-year again Jaylen Warren has continued to realize the workforce’s belief, evidenced by a two-year extension he signed with the Steelers on Monday.
As an alternative of using out the ultimate yr of Warren’s $5.3M contract, Pittsburgh took initiative by extending the proficient 26-year-old again for the 2025 season kicks off.
This transfer of confidence additionally indicators a transparent pecking order within the Steelers’ backfield. Warren’s standing as Pittsburgh’s RB1 is out of the blue his to lose after beginning zero of his first 48 NFL contests.
Even whereas taking part in behind Harris to start his profession, although, Warren has clearly been the more practical again for the final two seasons. Whereas not the ability runner that Harris or Johnson are, Warren is a talented operator on the skin with the flexibility to outrun defenses.
After posting 511 speeding yards and 38 receptions for 310 yards in 2024, Warren is in a main place to eclipse 1,200 all-purpose yards because the workforce’s starter. Even when Johnson ultimately begins to eat into his reps, although, groups do not prolong operating backs they do not have huge plans for.
With former Philadelphia Eagle Kenneth Gainwell the one different possibility within the Steelers’ backfield, it seems the workforce can be beginning the season with a two-man assault led by Warren.
Parallel with Harris’ steep decline with the Steelers, many Pittsburgh devoted have been clamoring for the 5-foot-8 speedster to lastly get a chance to shine. Now, alongside an unrecognizable Steelers offense, Warren may have simply that.
