Jaylen Warren’s extension marks clear direction for Steelers’ backfield

After the Pittsburgh Steelers replaced departed running back Najee Harris with third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, it was somewhat expected to be a passing of the torch in the team's backfield. 

A 1,500-yard rusher in his junior season with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Johnson seemed to be primed for a major role in Pittsburgh's backfield. After all, the Steelers don't have a single back who has taken notable starting reps on the roster. 

Rather than solidify his status as Pittsburgh's RB1 in the preseason, though, Johnson has seemingly stumbled down the depth chart. Meanwhile, fourth-year back Jaylen Warren has continued to gain the team's trust, evidenced by a two-year extension he signed with the Steelers on Monday. 

Instead of riding out the final year of Warren's $5.3M contract, Pittsburgh took initiative by extending the talented 26-year-old back for the 2025 season kicks off. 

This move of confidence also signals a clear pecking order in the Steelers' backfield. Warren's status as Pittsburgh's RB1 is suddenly his to lose after starting zero of his first 48 NFL contests.

Even while playing behind Harris to begin his career, though, Warren has clearly been the more effective back for the last two seasons. While not the power runner that Harris or Johnson are, Warren is a skilled operator on the outside with the ability to outrun defenses.

After posting 511 rushing yards and 38 receptions for 310 yards in 2024, Warren is in a prime position to eclipse 1,200 all-purpose yards as the team's starter. Even if Johnson eventually begins to eat into his reps, though, teams don't extend running backs they don't have big plans for.

With former Philadelphia Eagle Kenneth Gainwell the only other option in the Steelers' backfield, it appears the team will be starting the season with a two-man attack led by Warren. 

Parallel with Harris' steep decline with the Steelers, many Pittsburgh faithful have been clamoring for the 5-foot-8 speedster to finally get an opportunity to shine. Now, alongside an unrecognizable Steelers offense, Warren will have just that.