A New Era Begins in Pittsburgh’s Running Game
While the quarterback position has dominated headlines in Pittsburgh this offseason, a major change is quietly taking place in the backfield, the most significant shift since James Conner exited after the 2020 season. This time, the departure of Najee Harris, a 2021 first-round pick, has left a gap in the running game. Harris, who replaced Conner, signed elsewhere in free agency.
Jaylen Warren Steps Up
Jaylen Warren, Harris’ running partner over the past three seasons, is preparing to take on a bigger role. Determined to handle more carries, Warren has spent months preparing his body for the increased workload.
“I approached this offseason differently,” Warren recently said, via the team’s website. “I did a lot more things for longevity wise, instead of my old-school training like just getting the cleats on and running 30 hills. I had to adapt. This game is about longevity. And like they say, the best ability is availability.”
Warren has missed just three games in his career, though two came during the 2024 season, which was hindered by an early hamstring injury. Though he returned to action quickly, it took time for him to fully recover. Evaluating Warren’s durability must take into account not only his health but also his usage.
Comparing Usage: Harris vs. Warren
During Warren’s time with the Steelers, Harris was the clear lead back. Since Warren joined the team, Harris recorded 790 rushing attempts compared to Warren’s 346.
Warren has been a consistent contributor in the passing game, reaching 61 receptions in 2023 and averaging 42 catches and 298 receiving yards per season. However, his rushing workload has been more limited. His career-high in carries was 149, which came two seasons ago and accounted for 30.5% of the team’s rushing attempts. In 2024, that number dipped to 22.5%.
In contrast, Harris handled 49.3% of the rushing workload last year. The lowest percentage of his career, yet still far more than Warren.
New Additions and Emerging Roles
With Harris gone, a large number of carries are now up for grabs. Warren is joined in the backfield by third-round rookie Kaleb Johnson and free-agent acquisition Kenneth Gainwell.
Johnson mirrors Harris more closely than any other back on the roster. Though not the fastest, Johnson compensates with a powerful build (6-foot-1, 224 pounds), good vision, and aggressive lane running. Gainwell and other backups are likely to contribute as well, but the primary backfield duties appear set to revolve around Warren and Johnson. The exact division of labor remains unclear.
Warren Prepares for a Larger Workload
Despite standing at just 5-foot-8, Warren’s solid 215-pound frame allows him to absorb hits and endure a larger share of the offense. He’s training accordingly to be ready for whatever comes his way. “No doubt about it,” Warren said of being ready to shoulder a larger workload, “and that’s the way I’m training.”
