Jaylen Warren Eyes the Starting Running Back Role in Pittsburgh

Jaylen Warren is finally eying a starting role for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s faced an uphill battle at every stop along his way to No. 1 NFL running back, and those hurdles aren’t going anywhere.

Warren’s circuitous path to making highlight plays on Sundays took him through junior college and a group-of-five stop at Utah State before he finally made it to Oklahoma State. But even in Stillwater, it took him until Week 3 of his senior season before he was able to take the reins. All he did after that was put together one of the most impressive and exciting single seasons for a Cowboy running back in recent memory. Still, the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year went undrafted.

The Steelers added the undrafted free agent to a stacked RB room featuring Najee Harris and Benny Snell Jr. Shortly into his rookie season he had grasped the No. 2 role and was an important lightning to Harris’ thunder the last four years. In three years, Warren has rushed for 1,674 yards and six touchdowns in a reserve role. Now we should be able to see what he can do as a No. 1, sharing an offense with marquee offseason additions Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf.

“Jaylen’s super smart,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “Just from playing against him, I know that he was a great changeup back. He was great in protection, was great on third downs. But I think he can be a three-down back, and that’s the biggest compliment you can give a running back.”

Even if Warren takes the most handoffs, the Steelers are still willing to let him make plays where plays are needed. He could also continue to getting opportunities on special teams. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned him as one of several candidates to be a playmaker in the return game. In 2024, Warren returned nine kickoffs for 227 yards.

When Harris left in free agency this offseason and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, it looked like the RB1 role was wide open. But, once again, Warren finds himself in a crowded backfield in Pittsburgh, with the addition of third-round pick Kaleb Johnson by way of Iowa and offseason signee Kenneth Gainwell by way of the Philadelphia Eagles. But Warren’s overall game, specifically his pass protection prowess, should give him an edge, especially considering how much hope Steelers brass is putting on the shoulders of an aging Rodgers.

At this point, Warren is tabbed as RB1. And he’s the man to beat if you asked the Steeler defenders that have to face him day in and day out on the practice field. Second-year linebacker Payton Wilson fired a playful shot at Warren when talking about the Steelers donning pads for the first time during training camp.

And if it helps, he’s got the confidence of another former Cowboy standout.

Warren will be a top Running back this year! Bookmark this tweet https://t.co/bj58WLqF0C

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 29, 2025

The Steelers open their preseason slate with a trip to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars at 6 p.m. Aug. 9.