The Pittsburgh Steelers offense opened the scoring against the Buffalo Bills with the type of explosive run that fans haven't seen the likes of in quite a while. Second-year running back, Jaylen Warren's 62-yard dash to the end zone against the Bills starters to open the score of Saturday night's preseason contest showed fans and coaches that the 2022 undrafted ball carrier brings an element that 2021 first-round pick, Najee Harris has yet to really put on tape.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris tries to avoid a tackle during a regular season game against the Buffalo Bills in 2021.
Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and co-host of The Cook and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan wrote in a recent column that what he saw from Warren on the lone carry he had against the Bills has solidified his place on the growing bandwagon of voices calling for the second-year back to have an elevated role in 2023, even if it comes at the expense of Harris. He wrote that the home run-hitting ability is an essential element the former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State brings to the offense that Harris hasn't really shown he's capable of.
"Warren didn’t just earn that Saturday night," Cook wrote. "He was a more explosive runner than Harris last season [2022]. He made you notice him on many of his carries because of the way he would hit a hole. All out. All the time."
Cook did comment that these types of home run rushes are a rarity, and it's entirely possible that the team doesn't have another run like it all year, especially as defenses tighten up in the regular season. He noted that it was the longest rush since Le'Veon Bell broke off for an 81-yard carry against the Carolina Panthers during the 2014 regular season. It was the fourth-longest run in team history, and the first 80-plus yard carry for the franchise since 1970 when John "Frenchy" Fuqua had an 85-yarder against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In the 2022 season, only 12 rushes, according to Pro Football Reference, went for more yards than Warren's 62-yard score against the Bills. Pittsburgh's longest runs of the in 2022 were a 36-yard carry by Harris in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints and a 31-yard rush by Warren in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Steelers running back Jaylen Warren carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season.
After the game on Saturday, Warren was asked by the media if he would be open to playing a bigger role in 2023. He replied that he is happy to see the offense working well so far and will play whatever part the coaching staff asks him to.
Cook Believes Steelers Must Give Warren Increased Role
Cook acknowledged that there's still plenty to like about Harris. Unlike some members of the Warren fan club who have outright said he'll be a starter by Halloween, Cook sees it as more of a partnership with Harris. He stressed, though, that Warren needs more carries than the 77 he had in 2022 to give Harris more of a real break.
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Steelers running back Najee Harris finds some open space during a regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The veteran analyst recognized that Harris has a lot of tread on the tires for a 25-year old. He led the league in touches from scrimmage in his rookie season in 2021 and then had his numbers drop in 2022 while dealing with a foot injury for the first half of the season. He still managed to rush for over 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year and was sixth in the league in touches. Cook added that Harris made "one of the better plays" in 2022 when he caught the game-clinching score from Kenny Pickett against the Ravens on New Year's Night.
"Fewer carries for Harris might even benefit him," Cook wrote. "Isn’t it fair to think his production would be better if he was just a bit fresher? There is room for both Harris and Warren. There will be plenty of carries for both. The Steelers will be a better offense because of it."
Harris may never develop into a real home run threat, but it doesn't mean that he can't still find ways to be an effective member of the offense. The team's rebuilt offensive line might be the best unit Harris will get to play behind since he got to Pittsburgh, which should give him ample opportunity to up his career 3.9 average yards per carry. Time will tell if the coaching staff feels the same way as Cook or if Mike Tomlin continues to ride Harris into the ground until he breaks again.
Do you agree that Warren should get more than the 77 rushes he had last year? How would you divide the labor between the two backs? Comment below!
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