Steelers insider confirms suspicion surrounding Jaylen Warren and the future of the running back position in Pittsburgh
When the Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson with their second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it was clear they brought a new starter to town. What that means for Jaylen Warren in the interim is relatively simple. He will remain in his role as RB#2. As for his future, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette […]
When the Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson with their second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it was clear they brought a new starter to town.
What that means for Jaylen Warren in the interim is relatively simple. He will remain in his role as RB#2.
As for his future, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sees him following in the shoes of Najee Harris…
Steelers expected to move off Jaylen Warren in 2026
Warren is an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season who, like Harris, is just as unlikely to be re-signed. So, ideally, [Kaleb] Johnson gives them their lead back through the 2028 season.
– Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Kaleb Johnson is the perfect fit for the Steelers' scheme. A big-bodied wide zone runner who can also get vertical, few backs in this class fit Arthur Smith's scheme the way that Johnson does.
Kaleb Johnson doesn't do anything spectacular, which is why he was available toward the latter portion of round three. He didn't run an elite 40-yard dash, and he doesn't have a ton of elusiveness.
But he has a lot of Steelers lead back to him. At over 6-1 and 220 pounds, coming from a run-heavy scheme and with excellent tape and stats, he's a player you hammer defenses with before Jayen Warren comes in to change the pace.
And that's no shot at Warren, but at 5-8 and just over 200 pounds, he's not the Steelers cup of tea when it comes to being a lead back. He has made his rise from being undrafted in 2022, to one of the better backup runners in the league, even outsnapping Najee Harris at times last year.
Pittsburgh would be wise to keep him around, hence their decision to tender him this offseason despite hin being a free agent. Pittsburgh knows he has vastly outperformed his draft positioning and will likely cash in next year in free agency.
But the Steelers don't like to overpay for anyone, and certainly not running backs they signed as undrafted free agents.
