Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan shared the team’s plan for running back Jaylen Warren this offseason.
INDIANAPOLIS — Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are both set to become free agents in the coming weeks. General manager Omar Khan says that’s not how things are going to play out, though.
On Tuesday, Khan revealed the Steelers are planning to tender Warren, retaining him for the 2025 season.
“I’m confident we’re going to tender him and be in a position where Jaylen’s going to be here,” Khan said.
Warren, 26, is a restricted free agent, which means teams can still negotiate with him. However, the Steelers will have the right of first refusal to match the offer sheet. If they don’t, they can receive a draft pick in return equivalent to the tender.
The Steelers have a few options when it comes to tendering Warren, but they will likely choose between using a second-round tender and original-round tender on him.
The second-round tender costs about $5 million, but any team that signs Warren must surrender a second-round pick. The original-round tender costs about $2 million less, but there is no draft compensation since Warren was an undrafted free agent.
Either way, it is smart of the Steelers to bring back Warren, who is expected to cost a lot less than Harris on the open market. Although, Khan didn’t rule out re-signing Harris, either.
Warren has yet to serve as a No. 1 running back in the first three years of his NFL career, but he has flashed that he could be that while rushing for 1,674 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and six touchdowns during the span. He also has 127 catches for 894 yards.
Only time will tell if Harris will remain a Steeler in 2025, but fans can count on Warren returning for at least another season.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Indianapolis.
