The Pittsburgh Steelers running back room may be slowly turning into one of the NFL's coveted two-back systems. Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have shown the ability to make big plays and worthiness of being involved each and every week. Since the Week 9 bye, the two have rushed for 783 yards and are helping the team close in on 2,000 rushing yards on the season, an accomplishment that hasn't happened for the organization since 2007. The bulk of the work has been from the second-year back, but the undrafted rookie has now also found a home in the city of Pittsburgh and proven to be an awesome compliment.
Steelers running backs Najee Harris (#22) and Jaylen Warren (#30) on the field prior to a 2022 regular season game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The newcomer to the team's running back room jumped both Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. to become the #2 back on the depth chart. He had some fumble issues in the preseason, but performed as a downhill runner and is the exact ground and pound guy Pittsburgh needs behind Harris. It was also a huge boost that he is physical enough to challenge defenders while pass blocking.
In college, Warren spent his first two years at Snow College and was named the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 before transferring to Utah State. His collegiate career ended with Oklahoma State. He ran the ball 256 times for 1,216 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns during his rookie year. He went completely ignored entering the 2022 NFL Draft and now should be considered an absolute steal for the Steelers.
Steelers running back, Jaylen Warren (#30) warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Warren had a couple of offers following the draft from the Green Bay Packers and of course, Pittsburgh. He spoke with Aditi Kinkhabwala recently about his decision-making process and opened up about why he ended up accepted the Steelers' offer.
"They offered me the most," Warren said.
Pittsburgh Steelers signing Jaylen Warren to free agent deal that includes $12,000 signing bonus
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 1, 2022
That may be one of the best investments that the front office for Pittsburgh has made in some time in relation to an undrafted free agent. While he only has 343 rushing yards, he is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has cemented himself as part of the offensive game plan going forward. What started as a simple $12,000 signing bonus has turned into a base salary of $705,000 according to Over The Cap.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 01: Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The young ball carrier had the best game of his career on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens in a must-win game. He had a season-high 12 carries and ran for 76 yards as Pittsburgh dominated Baltimore's front seven. Warren told Kinkhabwala that his reasoning for signing with the organization may have been wrong, but he is extremely lucky that everything has transpired the way it has.
"At the end of the day, I was like they offered me the most and that's what my eyes were looking at, at the time, which is bad. I mean, it worked out, but that's not the way to go about things. I guess I got lucky kind of lucky that it worked out in my favor."
Do you think the Harris-Warren combination will be a force for the next few years? Let us know in the comments below!
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