Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has received a two-year contract extension, per his agents Ness Mugrabi and David Canter of Aura Sports Group.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Warren’s two-year extension pays him over $7 million this year and includes $12 million guaranteed. Warren is signed through 2027.
“From East High to Snow Community College to Utah State to Oklahoma State to going undrafted @aurasportsis proud to represent @Nunless2 and announce his new 2 year extension with @steelers. Congratulations Jaylen,” the Aura Sports Group wrote on X.
The Steelers signed Warren to an undrafted free agent contract following the 2022 NFL Draft.
Like he did at all three colleges that he played at, Warren bursted on to the scene in 2022 for the Steelers and carved out an important role as the team’s primary backup to Najee Harris. Warren excelled so much in his role that he is the Steelers backup running back for the 2023 season without having to face any competition in camp.
Warren ran for 5.3 yards per carry, one of the best figures in the league in 2023. He ran 149 times for 784 yards and four touchdowns. He was also more involved in the passing game, catching 61 passes for 370 yards compared to 29 receptions for 170 yards for Harris. On a per-touch basis, Warren was more explosive and efficient than Harris.
In 2024, Warren rushed for 511 yards on 120 carries (4.3 average) and one touchdown. He also had 38 receptions for 310 yards (8.2 average).
With Harris now with the Los Angeles Chargers, Warren will be the Steelers’ lead back in 2025.
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said when you lose half your carries, a running back needs to step up. The Steelers are counting on Warren to be that guy.
“Generally you’ve got 500-plus carries in a regular season,” Smith said. “You’re talking about 1,100 snaps. You would like to be on the plus side of 500. That means you’re in more four-minute. Let’s leave it at 500 carries to divvy up. That’s kind of where you’re at. Then obviously losing Naj, Naj for four years here, he was very durable, and that’s a lot of missing carries.”
Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner is confident that his trio of running backs — Warren, rookie Kaleb Johnson and Super Bowl champion Kenneth Gainwell — will fill the void of losing Harris.
“Like they say nowadays, he got it straight out the mud. Like he had to earn every step of the way he had to when that league’s over,” Faulkner said of the undrafted Warren. “You feel that with KJ. You feel that with Kenny G. I mean, I think that’s the quality of the room that’s exciting. You know what I mean? They all have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder.”
Gainwell thinks his new backfield can be special just like the one he was a part of in Philadelphia last season.
“It’s been...
