Steelers OC Eddie Faulkner Discusses Controversial Backfield Split Between Najee Harris And Jaylen Warren

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has looked a lot better over the last month in comparison to how they looked at the beginning of the 2023 NFL season. The run game has come alive, and second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett looked great in the Steelers' Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have been extremely effective in the run game, despite there being constant debate about which back should get the majority of the workload. 

Steelers OC Eddie Faulkner Discusses On-Field Relationship Between Harris And Warren

The Steelers have had over 150 rushing yards in four consecutive weeks from Week 9 through Week 12, after not meeting that mark at all earlier in the season. Both Harris and Warren have contributed heavily to this milestone for Pittsburgh, and are big reasons the team was able to pick up victories against the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, and the Cincinnati Bengals. Newly appointed Offensive Coordinator Eddie Faulkner discussed the complimentary relationship between the two running backs during his media session on Thursday. 

"Both those guys got skill sets that help us win. You know what I mean, I think we all see that in watching the game. I don't see any you know, head to head, I don't see them contradicting each other. I see them complimenting each other, I think they look at it the same way. You need that to win."

Warren and Harris have very different skill sets. Harris is more of a one-cut and take off downhill running back who can earn extra yards with his physicality. Warren is physical as well, but he has some more speed and acceleration, while also possessing the ability to make defenders miss. Warren is great in the screen game, while Harris is a good receiving back as well. Faulkner's comments show that the two backs understand each of their skill sets are valuable to the team in different in-game situations. 

In the Steelers' most recent game against the Bengals, Harris had a more productive day. Warren had a fumble early on that Pittsburgh would have recovered had Diontae Johnson showed a sliver of an effort on the play. Regardless, Warren still had some production on some important runs later in the game, and he also had a 15-yard reception. Harris had his best game of the year as he almost eclipsed 100 yards on the ground for the first time in 2023, but ended the day with 99 yards and a touchdown. Warren had 49 yards on the ground to go with three receptions. 

Harris had a better day on the ground in Week 12, but that's how this backfield duo works. When one isn't as productive, the other steps up as we have seen many times throughout the year. In the Steelers' Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Harris and the rest of the offense were struggling to get anything going. Harris had just 35 yards on 12 rushing attempts, but Warren came up big with a 74-yard rushing touchdown to begin the second half and finished with 129 rushing yards on just nine attempts. This is just one of many examples of this duo playing complimentary football. 

Both Harris and Warren are expected to play major roles in the Steelers' playoff push for the rest of the season, and look to keep this great string of rushing games going in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals currently rank 30th in the NFL in terms of the amount of rushing yards they allow on the ground, and 29th in touchdowns allowed through the rushing game. Both Warren and Harris should have efficient and productive games on the ground, and put on a great display of complimentary football once again.

What do you think of Faulkner's comments on the two running backs? Let us know in the comments below!

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