As the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the offseason, the team is faced with crucial decisions about the future of their offense. The biggest question mark hanging over them is what direction to take with their running back position.
With starting running back Najee Harris yet to enter contract negotiations after the team opted not to exercise his fifth-year option, the Steelers have a limited window of time to decide what their backfield will look like in 2025.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Harris’ future with the team, the Steelers must look for a long-term solution at running back—and that solution is already on their roster in the form of Jaylen Warren. Warren has proven over the last two seasons that he can be the team’s workhorse, and with Harris’ contract situation unresolved, the Steelers should make Warren their starting back for the 2025 season.
Warren’s performance last season was one of the few bright spots for a Steelers offense that struggled for much of 2024. Despite sharing the backfield with Harris, Warren accumulated 511 rushing yards on 120 carries, along with one touchdown. His ability to produce consistently, even in a committee role, showed that he can handle a larger workload moving forward.
