Steelers In Danger Of Losing Explosive Running Back Jaylen Warren

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a pivotal 2025 offseason, with several key decisions hanging in the balance. At the forefront of these decisions is the running back room, which will be under close scrutiny in the coming months. Najee Harris, who just wrapped up his fourth season with the Steelers, appears to be on the way out, as the organization seems ready to move on from him. The future of the position now largely depends on Jaylen Warren, who is a restricted free agent heading into the offseason.

While Harris has been a key part of the Steelers' offense, there is growing speculation that the team is ready to part ways. In contrast, Warren has become a fan favorite and a reliable asset in the backfield. Given his impressive performance and versatility, many pundits believe that Warren is the back the Steelers are most likely to build around moving forward. His ability to complement Harris and contribute in both the running and passing game has made him an appealing option for the team's future.

However, the Steelers now face a crucial decision. ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently pointed out that the organization is in danger of losing Warren if they don't pony up and pay his tender. With a $5.2 million tender looming, the Steelers must decide whether to pay up and secure their future at the running back position, or risk watching Warren walk away. The next few weeks will be critical as the Steelers navigate this high-stakes offseason.

"The 26-year-old struggled through an injury-impacted season and has had trouble with fumbles, but he has been more explosive, efficient and versatile than Harris within the same offense over the past three seasons," Barnwell said. "The whole situation is reminiscent of Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler with the Chargers, where a first-round pick took touches away from a smaller, more talented back. The Steelers would need to offer Warren a $5.2 million salary for 2025 to receive any compensation if they declined to match a potential Warren offer."

The most likely scenario is that Warren will be offered the $5.2 million tender, a significant increase from his current pay. If that happens and another team expresses interest, they would need to pay more money and give the Steelers their second-round pick as compensation. However, an outside team could still come in with a larger offer, forcing the Steelers to decide whether to match it or let Warren go. Ultimately, the Steelers are in control of their future with Warren, provided they choose to retain him.

The danger, however, lies in the fact that Warren is coming off an injury-plagued season, and his production didn’t meet the expectations many had for him. 

If the Steelers allow Harris to walk, Warren would step into a lead-back role he has yet to experience in the NFL. This would be a significant change for him, and the Steelers would likely have to draft a running back to complement him moving forward, adding even more pressure to an already pivotal offseason.

Steelers Have 2 Big Choices To Make At Running Back

The Steelers' risk of losing Warren only arises if they fail to offer him the $5.2 million tender. If they choose to pay him, the situation remains under control, but if they don’t, they could be in danger of losing him. The decision will have major implications, and Steelers fans will be watching closely to see what unfolds with the running back room. 

While Harris’ future appears somewhat certain, the rest of the situation is more unpredictable. Fans will soon find out which running backs will remain with the team for 2025 and which will be playing elsewhere. Moving on from Harris would be sad but many would understand the reasoning behind such a move.

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